While at Reading Market, we yelp searched for Cheesesteaks yet again, cause you know, having these meaty, greasy sammies only once just doesn't cut it. We found By George, read their reviews and decided to jump in line. In truth though, my husband was craving the cheesesteak, and I wanted NY pizza. Fortunately for us, By George offered both, with a steadily busy line on either side. They also had other italian pasta dishes too. We got a cheesesteak with provolone, no veggies and a slice of pepperoni. Our sandwich had a generous portion of meat, wasn't too greasy at all because that sesame roll held well on its own. Our sandwich survived the 4 block walk back to our car, without creating a grease hole through the bag. I split it with my hubby who seemed to enjoy it thoroughly. The pizza was good, it definitely was a new york style pizza, but it needed more pepperoni. Despite the lack of pepperoni, our slice was still pretty dang greasy. Overall, we enjoyed our pizza and cheese steak, though with a slight preference for the latter.
(4)
Keigo I.
Good place for quick bite! There is always a long line, you have to wait a bit. But the cheesesteak was nice! It was pretty larger than I expected, and not that oily!
(5)
Cameron L.
I've had cheesesteaks at a few places in the Philly area now and I think this place may be near the top of the list. Two things you'll notice right off the bat about the cheesesteaks from By George!- size and sesame seeds. Because of the size, these cheesesteaks really fill you up. And because of the sesame seeds... well I'm not really sure they do anything aside from add a slight nutty flavor. All in all, quality meat and bread combine with sesame seeds for some quality cheesesteaks.
(4)
Jennifer K.
Making the cheesesteaks fresh to order is the way to go and worth the wait. This is one of the best places in Philly to get cheesesteaks. Meat is plentiful, tender, flavorful and the provolone adds so much. The unique part of this steak is the sesame roll. Love it!
(4)
Tony L.
While I was walking around the market and visiting philly, I decided to get a cheesesteak...of course, because I am a freaking TOURIST! Cheesesteak here is good but I am not rating this place by what I ate. I am rating this by what my gf got...a Veggie cheesesteak. OMG, it was so good and so flavorful; no amount of additional meat will make the meaty version better thAn this. This veggie cheesesteak has a nice spicy taste to it to make it more smoky and rich. Okay, some of you would say that no meat = not a cheesesteak. Ok, but it was a f__king good sub that you will need to try, even if you are undertaking some kind of war on vegetable....
(5)
Maria C.
Solid cheesesteak sandwich. I came here twice and was disappointed the first time. Supposedly they ran out of bread. "Ran out of bread?!" You're a freakin' cheesesteak place, how can you run out of bread?! Second time around they had bread. YAY for me. I ordered the cheesesteak with mushrooms and American cheese (no whiz here!!!). Got my order to-go and off I went. I opened the wrapper and saw mounds of meat! Now that's what I'm talking about. Then the sandwich fell thru when they forgot to put my mushrooms in my sandwich. WTF... Admittedly, I enjoyed the sandwich less the mushrooms. It was hearty, delicious and plentiful. This cheesesteak is definitely much better than Carmen's in the Reading Terminal.
(4)
Jordan P.
Things that separate this spot from the countless others in Philly: -They do NOT offer buffalo chicken cheesesteaks (woe is me) -They split up the lines depending on what you order (love that) -The seeded, crusty buns are THE JAM! Holds up to the greasy glory that lies within, more so than some other rolls I've experienced. Lines move fast, food comes out fresh, and the price is not too different than other establishments. When I'm overwhelmed with the lines at DiNics, Spataros, or Carmen's.... this makes a surprisingly great choice. I've only had a slice of 'za once, but it was tasty. I prefer the cheesesteaks, personally.
(4)
Joseph R.
Disappointed with the soggy pasta. The meatballs were great though. It's more a tourist palace to eat than a local. Seems they don't care enough to bring their best. I am sure they could better. I won't order the pasta anymore but the meatballs I will.
(3)
Maisha R.
I was in Philly for a conference and I knew that I had to get a cheesesteak. It had been years since I'd visited Philly and I was so looking forward to getting another one of those greasy but delicious sandwiches. The convention center was close to Reading Market so we ate several meals there. There were a number of cheesesteak booths in the market so we randomly asked one of the market employees which one was the best. We were told it was By George. So, we headed to the back of the market and waited in the lunch hour line to place an order there. We got a cheesesteak with grilled onions and cheese, along with an order of their fries. After waiting about ten minutes, our order was ready. The cheesesteak was delicious. The beef was tender and seasoned, the cheese was nicely melted and the roll held up well to the large portion of beef and didn't get soggy. The sandwich was huge so it was a great idea to split it. The fries were tasty but they were too limp for my liking and they were extremely greasy. Although this place doesn't have the best cheesesteaks in Philly, it was definitely good enough to satisfy my cheesesteak craving. If I was stopping by this market again, I would return to By George's.
(4)
Jack M.
I and my whole family got cheesesteaks here on Saturday because the line everywhere else was so long. I am so glad we did. This is the best cheesesteak I've had yet in Philly. Better than John's Roast Pork and Prince's by far. For 9 bucks you get about 3/4 pound of beautiful beef scraps with your choice of provolone or American. The ~12" seeded rolls on which they come are phenomenal. They are soft and allow the meat to play the leading role in this culinary masterpiece. The fried onions I got also played quite well well the oozy cheese and slightly crisped beef. If you're looking for a great cheesesteak in a bustling Philly setting come to By George! These guys do it right. This is a huge sandwich, so you might want to share the glory with somebody else. I don't give five stars very often, but when I do, the food is incredible.
(5)
Michael W.
Good cheese steak but a bit greasy and the bread wasn't to my liking. For they money, I'd buy again but I might try to find one different. Of course, it might be far worse!
(4)
Yo A.
I had the chicken parm, a beef meat ball, a spinach and feta chicken meat ball.. It was okay, wasnt the best I ever had, the chicken was cooked well but the meat balls were terrible. The meatballs taste like dog food.. Im so sure the meat balls were dog food, that I dare a an scientist or lab tech to analyze the meatballs and do a ingredient comparison.. I wanted to order the cheesesteak because the are huge and look amazing but by the time it was my turn to order, the cashier told me they ran out of steak! I will leave you with this, the chicken parm was good, the cheesesteak looks good but eat the meatballs at your own risk..
(4)
Richard R.
I had some guests in from the U.K. and we visited the Reading Terminal Market for lunch. My friend and his 21 year old son wanted to try Cheese Steak so I asked some workers at the Reading Terminal who had the best Cheese Steak. The answer was a unanimous By George! The line was fairly long but moved quickly We placed our order and were given a number. I told my guests to avoid the Cheese Wiz and we went with real cheese. I am not a big fan of the wiz. Our cheese steaks were massive. My friend and myself split one and we were both full. My friend's son managed to eat his whole sandwich on his own! The roll was very good and fresh and the sandwich was not soggy at all. The meat was well seasoned and chopped up a bit which i like. I really do prefer it this way also over the larger pieces of steak served at Genos, etc. I was pleasantly surprised how great tasting this Cheese Steak was. Tables were hard to come by on a Saturday just before Christmas, but after a short wait we found one. I love the Reading Terminal, my father used to bring my family here when we were small children. It still has the same feel but they have done a nice job keeping it updated and vibrant. It is a must see when visiting Philadelphia and if you want a pretty darn good Cheese Steak, try By George!
(4)
Matt S.
I got the chicken parmesan, which may have been a dumb choice, but it wasn't very good. It was about $9 for not so good piece of chicken covered in sauce and a slice of cheese. If I were to go back to Reading Terminal I try something else.
(2)
Kevin B.
Decided to cruise around Center City to find a cheesesteak. Open up my Yelp application and saw that By George was one of the higher ranked restaurants in my area. So I stopped in the Reading terminal to see how theirs compared to the rest. Fantastic. First of all, the steak was huge. In hindsight I probably should've eaten half of it and saved the rest for later since I was so full, I couldn't move later on to do anything else. But oh well. Tons of meat and I got mine loaded up with mushrooms. I didn't order fries or anything but the steak alone was enough for a full meal. Cheesesteak and a drink was about 12 dollars which isn't bad. It's tons of restaurants in the Reading Terminal but if you want a real good cheesesteak, stop by here.
(4)
Dayna W.
I think they have the best food. I love their Capri sandwich. When I come to Philly I have to always stop at By George to get their Capri sandwich. I'm a stickler for fresh ingredients. When you have a mix of Tomato, Basil and mozzarella that's something you do not want to get old ingredients. The service staff was very nice and accommodating. We were wanting to try more of the selection there. We have had plenty of Cheese steaks and pizza and were wanting to try something a little more different. The lady behind the counter suggested that we try their fresh Mozzarella balls. The Mozzarella balls were very very good. The only thing was lacking which was on us is that we didn't ask for more of the oil. Other than that it was wonderful. They were so good though. I even added a couple of the mozzarella balls my sandwich and it made it even better. Really made my day.
(5)
Jody G.
Huge tasty cheese-steaks? Yes please! These are wonderful, cooked fresh, and served with a choice of cheese (American or Provolone or the local favorite "Whiz") and with or without a choice of onions, peppers, or mushrooms. The seeded roll is both fresh and soft on the inside and crusty on the outside. I had mine with American cheese and onions.... and it was wonderful!
(4)
Dalia V.
Can I please have a Philly cheesesteak? Yeah that's what I just said.. Dumb moment. I am in philly all you have to say is a cheesesteak sandwich. These place has very authentic sandwiches that taste great! 1 sandwich feeds 2 people. They are as big as a 12 inch sub. The only downfall of these place is the wait, no combos and very pricey, I guess they know it's a tourist town. I paid $28 dollars for 2 sandwiches a small soda, 1 small fries and a cheese pizza. The wait it's about 15-20mins. I think they can put more effort in their expediting line. The sandwiches would come out fast but they will be sitting in the counter until the girl who is responsible for complete ring the orders finishes frying one hand full of fries at a time! She literally will fill the basket with only one hand and That's all! She had so much room to fill that basket, everyone is ordering fries why not have them ready like fast food places. The food is good I recommend.
(4)
Jay Y.
Located on the aisle as you walked directly straight on from the 12th St. entrance, By George is a good food choice that serves cheap, delicious pizza by slice. My order was a slice of Italian sausage pizza ($3.5) and it was solid! The meat was plenty on the slice that was also filled with cheese so it was certainly worth it. Nothing really to complain about, so I believe that By George is great especially if you want a quick, cheap eat at Reading Terminal Market.
(4)
Carla G.
Love love love their pizza... I hate going to Reading Terminal because it is such a tourist trap...but when I want some good pizza I'll chalk it and trek on down there . Where I live in Germantown, the crap that they call pizza is a sin...I hate that no place local is available to get a half decent pizza of any kind. So...Pizza by George is my spot for a slice or two. I just wish it was closer.
(5)
Rachel M.
I was at the convention center when I needed a quick bite to eat so I yelped nearby restaurants and this joint came up with decent reviews so I gave it a try. However, I was not impressed with the cheesesteak sandwich. I got sharp provolone, which was and additional $1.00 charge too. The sandwich was very dry with little taste. I have no plans on returning.
(2)
Daphne R.
We had the tomato pie. It was amazing! One slice will fill you up!! It was the best I have EVER had. It was thick and doughy with a crispy bottom. They were on the list for tripadvisor and I can see why!
(5)
Lela T.
We ordered a half pound of sausage and peppers, 2 cheesesteak specials, eggplant parmigiana and vegetable lasagna. We got a half pound of sausage and peppers, 1 cheesesteak special, chicken parmigiana and vegetable lasagna. Hey! 3 out of 5 ain't bad and I got the last cheesesteak. LOL! Plus, I was REALLY glad they only gave me one special because it was ENORMOUS! Hearty, hot and filling and on a cold winter night, it was exactly what we needed. It was really good and exactly what we wanted and expected. Tasty and stuck to our ribs.
(4)
Dillon W.
Honestly the best cheese steak I've had in a long time. A bit on the pricey side ($12 for a cheesesteak and small fries combo - drink not included). Come hungry because one sandwich could feed 2 people (although you won't want to share).
(4)
Michele M.
Cheesesteaks that are devine. I love visiting and always go here for the wonderful food.
(5)
Jennifer P.
Amazing cheesesteaks on great bread!! :) it's conveniently located inside the Reading Terminal Market. Although we normally get cheesesteaks they have a great selection of other foods. Mostly Italian. Be sure to grab a seat in the market itself because George's doesn't have its own seating. Always delicious!
(5)
Suzy D.
You guys. Seriously. YOU MUST TRY THE VEGGIE STEAK. Look, I am not even a real vegetarian, and on the past Saturday when I was touring the market with family, I was seriously on the verge of breaking down and ordering something meaty like the rest of them - delicious meats were all around, and the smell from By George was SO tempting. But wait a minute: at the last second I spied a small, unassuming sign inviting me to "Try Our Veggie Steak", with a huge list of delicious veggies underneath. I realized that this list wasn't an "options" list, it was literally a list of ALL THE THINGS that the sandwich contained, and it was MASSIVE: mushrooms, broccolini, red onion, spinach, bell peppers, hot peppers, and SO MANY MORE - I can't even remember, it was a huge list. And the list included cheese. I was sold. My dining companions got their cheesesteaks, and I got my veggie steak (promptly prepared before our eyes), and we retired to the central tables to judge for ourselves. O. M. G. Within a bite, I knew this was one of the sandwich highlights of my life. It was stuffed, over stuffed even, with goodness. Melty cheese. Perfectly sauteed veg. ACTUAL SPICE. Like, legitimately hot peppers. I promise you, this is a sandwich that needs no meat. No exaggeration. By George, I will be seeing you again soon - get the veggies ready!!!
(5)
Calvin S.
Oh man, real philly cheesesteaks! Finally! I always wanted to try a real philly cheesesteak ever since the craze began for me about 10 years ago. Personally I haven't been to Philly since around 2003, so it's been a long time coming. I know there are better locations, but I wanted one that's in the Center City and accessible to public transit...in which this location seemed to fit well. We ordered the mushroom and onion (something like that?) cheesesteak, and damn it was a footlong! I had to split it amongst 3 people, and even that I barely finished it. It was packed with juicy beef, topped with some of the best cheese I've ever had! We also had the beef lasagna, which...let's put it this way, I could've done without. Nothing special and I've had better lasagna, that's for sure. Mmm. Now I'm craving cheesesteaks again. Too bad nobody does it like the city of origin.
(4)
Cara C.
I'm not a Philly native or cheesesteak expert, but this hit the spot! My friend and I both decided a cheesteak was a must during our business trip and with limited free time, we decided to hit the Reading Terminal Market in search of authentic Philly flavor. It just so happened this is the first place we came across and the moderate line, delicious aromas and a great Yelp rating made us decide to make this our choice. We opted to share one, provolone wit (with provolone cheese and grilled onions), with a side of their fresh cut fries. That and a couple of waters ran us about $16, so not a bad deal, considering we were in the heart of a tourist-filled area. The guy who took our order rang us up on a side register to speed things up, and was super friendly and helpful as we ordered. He gave us directions where to wait and pick up or order. Food was ready in less than 5 minutes and we took it to the seating area to enjoy. This cheesesteak was HUGE! The meat was flavorful and the onions and cheese complimented it perfectly. The fries were fresh cut and delicious as well, although I had to stop before we could finish them all. I recommend getting a few extra napkins if you aren't into messes, and be prepared to smell a little oniony the rest of the day. That said, it was totally worth the cheesesteak hands and we were so glad we stopped when we did!!
(5)
Pamela M.
Philly is meant to be the home of cheesesteaks and yet this place was beyond subpar. The service was slow and there was a line which made us belief that the food had to be great but boy were we disappointed. We did not find the meat to be well seasoned and the bread seemed to be on the hard side. This was all topped by service that seemed to be on the I do not feel like being at work side. I will not be returning.
(2)
Ellington W.
Ordered the chicken cheesesteak hoagie and a side of fries. The fries were greasy and soggy. Remarkably they were still flavorful. The chicken Philly was so good. I mean it was phenomenal! It's huge. Two people can definitely share. The lunchtime line was extremely long but they move very quickly. I would without a doubt eat here again. Took one star off for them not draining the fries.
(4)
Don F.
Terminal Reading's BEST cheesesteak. Heck,best I've ever had. Classic philly, fresh ribeye, onions, cheese, on a toasted sesame seed hoagie. We took ours to the airport and then CHOWED-DOWN on that suckah. #MMMMM
(5)
Augustina G.
This spot is loved by tourists attempting to get a taste of an authentic Philly cheesesteak as well as school-age children trying to get their hands on some pizza. I'll talk about the pizza because who doesn't love it?! Generally good stuff! My personal favorite has got to be the chicken with garlic, spinach, and tomato. Not too much sauce, but not too little and has just the right about of cheese. That's super important. The toppings are generally spread out on all of the pizzas. The pepperoni pizza isn't skimping on the pepperonis either. The Mediterranean pizza is practically a salad on a pizza pie. For your healthy ones, you can eat this one and not feel too guilty afterwards. They also sell pizza dough for a few dollars, if you want to get fancy at home and make your own pizza.
(3)
Hailey N.
Excellent Philly Cheesesteak. Exactly what we were looking for: very meaty, great bread, and very cheesy. Definitely going to come back!
(5)
Paulina T.
First time in philly I had high hopes for this cheesesteak but it was too salty I only took a bite.. Make sure to ask them to go easy on the salt and then it might be good.
(1)
Phil P.
Line was super long for the cheesesteaks. So we went to the pizza line instead. AMAZING. I got the Tomato Pie and it was great. Highly recommend. The other two people with me loved their pizza as well.
(5)
Peter K.
A good cheesesteak. This is the biggest and most filling cheesesteak I've had!
(4)
mike v.
Everything is good here...but their cheesesteaks, WOW.!!! Some of the best in the city. Definitely in my top 3 along with Mama's and Steve's. Cheesesteaks are a lot like John's Roast Pork's only better. If you like John's, you will probably prefer George's!! This is an AMAZING cheesesteak, and I've had them ALL. The flavor is sensational and they use a great seeded roll.
(5)
Tom M.
My opinion of By George is a victim of its location. If I had By George in my neighborhood, I'd probably order from them a few times a month. In Reading Terminal Market however, I'm not too excited about it. They have good pizza, pasta etc. If you try it you will like it. I have not had the cheesesteaks. Its just not that exciting compared to the ridiculously wonderful local fare the rest of Reading Terminal has to offer. Yesterday (4-14-10) I needed something to keep a sandwich I was bringing home cold so I bought two things of their frozen pasta. I am excited to try it.
(4)
Duke C.
Been to a few famous and popular spots in Philly for some cheesesteaks, and this Reading Terminal Market vendor is probably my favorite for the classic! I went with the classic cheesesteak with whiz and onions. Love the whiz here. It is beneath the protein so when you bite into the sandwich, after your tongue go through the hoagie, you hit the cheese! Onions are nicely caramelized, and there's a ton of steak. It's not dry like many places either. I also tried it once with bacon added to it. Definitely a must if you like bacon to bring it to the next level! Since this is also an Italian food joint, the cheesesteak with the marinara is solid. I tried a bit of my coworkers and even though it is heavy with the meat, cheese, and the red sauce, it is one hella savory cheesesteak! Get it with the provolone! There's other cheesesteak spots in the market itself, and all with much longer lines than By George. Save some time and come here!
(4)
Eric S.
I was in reading terminal with an infant the day after Thanksgiving, my husband went to wait in line at Denic's...which had about 50-60 people waiting. My child was hungry, so I went to By George! to get a slice of pizza. With 5 people in line and 2 people serving pizza, it took around 20 minutes to get one slice of cheese pizza....19 minutes in line with 5 other people ordering pre-made slices. By time I made it back to Denic's, my husband had finished half of his sandwich! The best part, the two guys at the By George station next to the pizza counter with nothing to do and no customers that didn't help. I live in Philly, and there are plenty of pizza places that will serve you better pizza that won't take an hour.
(1)
John K.
4 stars for the pizza and antipasti. 3 stars for the cheese steak and fries. So ... we'll just give them 4 stars. ~~~~ Located across the way from Iovine Bothers Produce in Reading Terminal Market, By George Pizza, Pasta, & Cheesesteaks may have a generic, overproduced name, but the grub on offer is homemade and for the most part, on point. Their pizza is pretty good and they've got quite the variety of specialty pies. The Italian antipasti, salads, and apps are fresh, if not a bit pricey. To accommodate the lunchtime rush, they've also got a bevy of specialty sandwiches. Homemade marinara anyone? Or some freshly made pasta? Heck, they even make croutons! But let's get on with the food! When I saw an offer for a cheese steak combo, I knew I had to give them a try. Cheese Steak Combo ($12) Cheese Steak, Small Fries The cheese steak was pretty decent here. There was plenty of chopped steak in this sandwich, though it was a bit dry from being on the flattop too long. Regardless, the meat was well seasoned and filled with fried onions. The Carangi roll was fresh and the sharp provolone provided some necessary funk to the cheese steak. However, keep in mind - there's a dollar add-on if you're going down the provolone route, though it's not advertised nor was I informed. Slightly annoying. The fries are cooked in peanut oil. However, by the time I brought them home (and perhaps some fault lies in this), they were damp and slightly soggy - not exactly crisp. White Slice ($3.75) The pizza at By George is pretty damn delicious though. The white slices in particular are a favorite of mine, with a chewy crust.. Garlic is nicely highlighted amidst all of the cheese. If you're looking for Italian eats or decent pizza and are near RTM, be sure to check out By George. If you need some antipasti, this is the place to get a wide variety of them as well.
(4)
Lauren C.
I got off the airplane at PHL SOOOO in the mood for Caprese... and so i headed over to Reading Terminal Market and got an amazing amazing sandwich from these guys. Tomato, basil, mozarella, on bread that had a hint of garlic taste to it. DELICIOUS. They threw it on the panini press to heat it up for me, and served it in paper that kept it warm until i could find a seat. I also wanted 1x artichoke heart that was calling my name while I was waiting for my sandwich to warm up. They were happy to accomodate, and didn't look at me like I was crazy (you know... the face they give you at Dunkin Donuts when you order 1x munchkin?) Also a plus- its across the market from the produce stand. TONS of fresh fruits and veggies for super-cheap without having to venture into the congestion of the market.
(4)
Chris G.
Would've given 4 stars but the meat on my cheesesteak could've used more seasoning. Fries were Soso. Ordered seasoned fries but not much season in them. Granted it was heavy lunchtime when I arrived. Overall, if you're hungry and have a taste for a sub stop by. But it won't be the best philly has to offer. The rolls were really good and soft.
(3)
Clint W.
By George! Pizza, Pasta & Cheesesteak needs a little work. First of all, the name. Pizza and pasta seem like natural cousins, but cheesesteak alongside in the deli case - it just feels wrong somehow. In Philly, there's cheesesteak and there's the forgeries. By George! isn't a forgery; it's authentic. Not quite the wanna-be's that pop up all over the city, but not quite the genuine article either (not quite the Tony Luke's, in other words). Reading Terminal is an incredible nucleus of restaurants and vendors, an epicenter of PA food and culture. By George! has quality meat and cheese, which you think would be enough to make a good cheesesteak. It is, for the most part, though I'm not sure it's on par with some of the Philly greats: the Pats, the Tony Luke's. I have yet to try Carmen and settle the Reading Terminal battle for top steak, but when I do, you my nonexistent Yelp readers, will be the first to know.
(4)
Pat L.
This is the best pizza I have had in Philadelphia; it's on par with the boutique pizzas at Osteria. Nice chewy crust, great toppings--an absolutely outstanding example of the New York style. Salads, sandwiches, pastas, etc. are also quite good, but the pizza shines; it's an under-recognized gem. The people are really nice as well.
(5)
Charles W.
I was at the convention center and decided to head over to Reading Terminal market for lunch. I decided to try By George and got the eggplant parmesan and garlic bread. The eggplant was very good and cheesy with a nice sauce. The garlic bread was dry and I could only have 2 bites before I gave up.
(3)
Martha F.
Yummy Philadelphia Cheesesteak.....big enough for 2 to share. Located at Reading Terminal.
(4)
Jennifer S.
Although it was our plan to try both Pat's and Geno's for an authentic cheesesteak while in Philad'a, upon the advice of the concierge at our hotel, we did not venture out to either of these places. And I am soooo thankful to her for steering us away from those "tourist traps". We ended up finding our own way inside of the Reading Terminal Market. Upon entering the building during a weekday lunch time, we saw a veritable ocean of people. Given the crowds, we stopped at the first place we passed that had "cheesesteaks" on their menu board, and we ordered one cheesesteak (to share) with onions and sharp Provolone. We then waited across from their order counter for our number to be called up amidst the stream of people. Next, we found a couple of chairs open to sit down at a table and tear into our sandwich. Oh my, Dog! I was launched into a tasty sandwich heaven (!), a place previously unknown to me. The sandwich was piled with thinly sliced beef prepared on the griddle with plenty of onions and then topped with a melted sharp Provolone - all on a long and narrow sesame-seeded roll. It was pure and excellent. Out there, they say the bread/roll makes all the difference. I'm going to believe that for the time being. Now, how am I gonna go about getting a fantastic cheesesteak here in the St. Paul/Minneapolis area? I will definitely return to this very spot for another cheesesteak during my next trip to Philadelphia.
(5)
Erica M.
I used to think their cheesesteaks were fantastic, but when I went back a couple of times I realized I was either crazy the first few times I had them or the quality really went downhill. After my last cheesesteak and veggie cheesesteak, I don't think I'd try them again.
(3)
Sara L.
By George! has been there for me through every lasagna hankering I have ever had. For that alone, I would be a big fan. With a prime location right near the entrance of Reading Terminal Market, By George does a booming take out business with a menu of diverse Italian favorites ranging from slices to cold salads to fresh pastas and sauces to cook at home. I ignored them for years figuring they probably skated by on location and were not very good. I don't know what ever gave me that idea, but I am glad I got over it! Their pizza is not the best in the city, but it is actually very good. I have only had a few of the veggie salads, but they have all featured crisp (not overdone) veggies with an appropriate amount of yummy dressings. They are also one of the few places that I have found that does excellent take-out lasagna. The giant slab they give you would be enough to delight Garfield. My husband seems to really like the chicken parm that I get for him when I'm having personal lasagna night, and the staff always fills the container to capacity with the "side" of linguini. The service is quick and friendly. The prices are great. If you want to enjoy no-effort, delicious homestyle Italian food, but don't have a little Italian grandma to call on, give By George a try.
(4)
Andrea H.
The cheesesteaks are amazing here. The location is an indoor market with fun shops and other places to eat. This is the place you want your main dish to come from - the cheesesteaks were the best I've ever had.
(5)
Dan A.
If someone asked me where I had the best pizza in Philadelphia, I would have to say it was at By George. If they then said let's go there now and get a slice. I would proably have to point out that we're really only going to get their best pizza at lunch time. If it's later in the day, it's likely the slices have been out there a while. They don't seem to make any more pizzas after lunch time. Of course, you could always order an entire pizza to get around this. There are three changes that I would like to see them make: 1) Open on Sunday. It can be reduced hours if needed. 2) Mark down your pizza slices when you're closing soon. It will help you sell what you have left over. And at the sametime, it's fairer to the customers not to charge the same price as if the pizza just came out of the oven. 3) Offer a vegan pizza. It would be interesting to see what you could do with some Daiya cheese. And I would understand you requiring an entire pizza to be ordered instead of taking a slice. By George is one of my favorite pizza places. If you haven't been there, you should try them for lunch.
(4)
Steve W.
In the short year plus that I've lived in Philly, I've been to many places that claim they make the best cheesesteak, but are hardly worth mentioning, so I won't. A couple that are good but not great, are the ones that get most of the tourists: Pat's and Geno's. The other big tourist draw, Jim's is a bit better but not great. Best to leave all 3 to the tourists. In the runner-up category; is Shank's Peir 40 at Penn's Landing and Tony Luke's. Both are very good and worth a trip. Tony Luke's bread is fantastic, really compliments the meat/cheese and doesn't get soggy. By George in the Reading Terminal however beats out all the others. Cheesesteak heaven! The meat is high quality, fresh, and tasty. I prefer mine with onions and provolone cheese on it. Suggest you get there early. The line starts forming before noon and if there's a convention in town (like the car show today) the lines are longer and the seats in the eating area at the terminal are hard to come by. They're also closed on Sundays. If you haven't eaten at the terminal before, it's a great experience and shouldn't be missed. Next on the list is Cosmi's, the Yelp reviews are pretty good here so got to try them.
(5)
Tina T.
I decided to pick up something to eat in the Reading Terminal market and thought a cheesesteak sounded good. I ordered one with onions and cheese sauce and a bottled water. Came out to about $11. Got back to my hotel and I was happy it was still very warm. Great portion, too. It was odd, though because the cheese sauce was only on the top and had never permeated to the bottom. The parts without the cheese were dry. I was definitely disappointed. Maybe next time I will try those delicious looking sandwiches in the display case!
(2)
Constance A.
I came here early September. My then-boyfriend and I were searching for a place to get Philly Cheesesteak without having to wait on a long line. After reading different reviews for popuar Philly cheesesteak locations on Yelp, George was the winner. We went there and order two cheesesteaks. I like how they have a variety of different types of philly cheesesteak. It makes me want to go back and try the other ones. My former boy and I got the cheesesteak with onions and pepper. Really good. Don't get the combo that comes with the drink. It's not worth it. It's a cup of soda that will barely last you. Since it's located in the Reading Terminal Market, there are soda in a can being sold for a $1. Get one of those instead. All in all, I really like this place and will definitely return next time I'm in Philly.
(5)
Zareen S.
So, even though the lines are huge and you may think it is a overrated place because its at the Reading Terminal but this place is no joke. I have had their Pizza, Strombolis, Pasta and Salmon, Spaghetti and Sandwich, Broccoli Rabe - the dough is fresh as ever and taste is superb [couldn't stress enough], along with quality. Nothing here tastes anywhere near bad. Only one complaint : Mr. Manager [ whoever you are, although I know you] stop being so mean to your employees who are suuuuuper nice and sweet and quit bullying them for no reason. Be nice ! I almost took your counter person home with me, I would have if i could. He was super adorable.
(5)
Terry M.
This was my first time eating from them. The pizza was the best (mushroom & italian sausage). The slices were a nice size and delish.
(4)
Xinyi T.
the cheesesteaks are amazing! the cheese are completely melted inside the steaks. the bum is nice and soft. the cheesesteak is so flavorful. be aware of the size! i was completely stuffed after half of the cheesesteak.
(4)
Maurice T.
The Italian Cheesesteak sandwich hit the spot. The peppers & broccoli rabe take the Philly classic to another level of delicious. Next time you're in Reading Terminal Market, grab a sandwich (plan to split it), pull-up a seat at the communal tables, and enjoy.
(5)
Chris B.
So I'm working in the Convention Center and am "limited" in what I can get for lunch on an hour...not really, there is SOOOO much greatness near the Convention Center. But the lure of the Reading Terminal is awesome! This place ROCKS! HUGE cheesesteaks, served a wide variety of ways- you can not go wrong. I wish I lived in Philly because I'd have to try the fresh pastas and sauces. This place is the BOMB!!
(5)
Jonny D.
Poor name, fantastic food. We had two strombolis and a few slices of pie. The pizza was piled extremely high with toppings. Like an inch high. What a bonkers slice. The strombolis were extremely serious too. Half of one will do you for lunch for sure, and at only 7 or 8 bucks, it's one hell of a lunch deal. The signage makes it hard to find, so look for Iovine produce in one corner of the Market and then look across from them.
(5)
Kelly G.
Pizza cheesesteak! In retrospect, it was one of the better cheesesteaks we had, even compared to Pat & Geno's! This arm length roll is stuffed silly with meat and the pizza flavor is introduced in the tomato sauce and onions. Delicious! Their other offerings stand proudly behind the display glass, tempting me to gluttony with their aromatic smells and bright colors. If only my stomach could take more without it going to my waist!
(4)
Ali F.
You can get some pretty sweet gourmet slices here. They were a real lifesaver for me while I was stuck waiting to see if I'd be selected for jury duty down the street. Rough times call for yummy food.
(4)
Kareem C.
My first review of 2013 . . . Had to travel to Philly for work so I had to search Yelp for a popular place to get a Chicken Philly Cheesesteak. This place is located in a Market in downtown Philly. It appeared that you could purchase any type of food in this bustling and trendy market. Back to the food which was excellent. Fresh cut and perfectly seasoned fries to go along with a humongous chicken cheesesteak. Now as you may or may not know I am a little dude (5'10 174 lbs) so the word humongous is relative. The cheesesteak was delicious. I see why Philly is famous for these sandwiches. I would've given this place a five star but this has got to be the most unhealthiest sandwich ever!
(4)
Regina F.
It's excellent when a thin oven-baked pizza crust is covered and cheese and topped with an entire Greek salad...it's even better when this mountain of Greek salad comes with a lofty drizzle of balsamic dressing. Crisp, crunchy and charred, the crust at By George! massacres any other brick oven crust. Oh...and they take Level Up. FTW.
(4)
Nicky P.
I ordered a chicken cheesesteak, it was fantastic! Plenty of cheese, actual chicken steak (not the chicken chunks that you get at other places) and they put it on a fresh sesame roll which made it that much more amazing. I never would have thought to put any kind of cheesesteak on a sesame roll but this was the perfect pair. The only downfall is the price... but then again... anywhere in Philadelphia or Reading Terminal for that matter is not that cheap.
When going to Philly, everybody says you have to go to Pat's or Geno's for a cheesesteak. But I would skip both of those and make sure you go to By George! at Reading Terminal Market. The cheesesteak I had was huge! And rather than having this big pile of meat sitting there waiting for people to order, their cheesesteak sandwiches are made to order. So when you get them, the bread is warm, the cheese is gooey and melted and it tastes great. Definitely worth it.
(5)
Kevin J.
by george is fine food. They don't just dabble in everything, they master it: from chicken caesar salad sandwiches, to pannini, from calzone, to manicotti, from casserole, to meatlovers pizza, from stromboli, to cheesesteaks. The by george people are professionals and all have been in the business for a long time. The kitchen is always open in plain view, so you can watch the food production line all the way from scratch to your dish. This is a great marketing approach, because over by one of the entrances to Reading Terminal, all passersby are bombarded by the sights and smells of by george. Each menu item may be dazzled in freshly cut cheese wheels. Everything is heated to perfection in a coal fired pizza oven and served to you in tin foil to trap all the heat in. Today I would like to open a new yelp category for 6 stars and give it to by george! Frequent customers get a stamp card with free lunch when you buy 10. If you partake in this and order two slices of pizza each day, this works out to $2.73 per slice or so, before tax. Otherwise, it's 3.01 + tax.
(5)
Leah K.
We were all set to just go to any of the cheese steak vendors in Reading terminal, when we saw a security guard walk by and grabbed her to ask for her recommendation. She sent straight over to By George and we were not disappointed. I don't even generally like Cheese steaks but this is one of the best I've ever had.
(4)
David W.
I'm a long-term fan of their pizza and calzones. I don't know if they still sell the frozen calzone, but when they did, the veggie was excellent, a very good value. If in the Terminal, definitely try this place.
(5)
Miguel V.
This is a very mixed review cuz i came here twice in as many days and had very different experiences. The first time, I stuck with the pizza and the second time I decided to try the "new cheesesteak menu". Here goes. So the pizza was NY style, which everyone tries to claim. Being from the place, I have to give them their props on a decent slice. Don't get me wrong, this was nothing amazing, but much less removed than the pathetic version we get in San Diego. I got a tomato and spinach, and a tomato, chicken, and spinach slice. I can't comment on their sauce cuz I didn't get a slice with sauce. I love tomato slices! These were pretty good. The dough was a little flimsy on one, and a little thick and doughy on the other. They haven't quite mastered it yet. Could have used some more cheese, but the flavor and seasoning was all there. The crust was reasonably crusty and not too doughy, which was pretty good. Based on this experience, definitely four stars. I am not from Philly and definitely not a cheesesteak expert. I know they ask a lot of clarifying questions when you ordered, but from what I know about it, all you really need to tell them is "whiz wit onions" and that should be enough info. So, that's what I told them essentially. The damn thing was enormous, reasonably priced ($7.95 I believe), and smelled amazing. However, when I unwrapped it, it was not on anything that resembled an Amoroso. It was on some kind of baguette type thing with sesame seeds on it ( yelp.com/biz_photos/7eDX… ). Really?! Sesame seeds?! and they weren't even joking. I almost went back and asked for a refund, but I figured I would tough it out. The sandwich, as I will call it, was not that bad. In fact, the steak was very, very well seasoned and was very flavorful. Not enough whiz, but that's all good. The first half, the whiz was fine, but the second half, it got a little clumpy, like it wasn't hot enough or something. kinda nasty. However, as anyone from Philly that I have ever talked to knows, the bread makes or breaks it. it was tough, baguette style bread, in contrast to nice, soft, delicious Amoroso. For this experience, they barely get two stars. You do the math. I might come back for their pizza, but wouldn't dream of getting another cheesesteak.
(3)
raquel s.
I'm convinced after many visits that By George has the best pizza in the city. I go there with my boyfriend for lunch on our days off even if we are no where near it. I've never ever had pizza I didn't like-- recently I tried the chicken with ricotta and roasted red peppers. MmM. So flavorful, so thin. I wish they would open another location not inside the Reading Terminal so they could be open later.
(5)
Nestor M.
the first time I had a Philly Cheese steak was from here. it was a bite of my girlfriends and I remember it tasting like a dream. then the second time I had it I ordered a whole one for myself and have my gf the wrapper to eat off anything that fell off my steak. it was not as good the second time around. it was dry. it was a good steak but there has to be consistency. that's why people come back. definitely the best cheese steak in the reading terminal market
(4)
Jerry C.
Your employee, Heather, seems miserable, the wedge had way too much bread compared what was inside and the price was Eh. 'Order hot food here' line---' Order pizza here' line ... Where can i get a cold sandwich? I asked if they had a menu of wedges. No. Can i get one custom made. No. The woman pointed to a few wedges with signs in a, duhh don't you see what we have, sort of way. No smile, no thank you. Nothing. I chose the Euro Wheat. If my memory service it had eggplant, mozzarella, tomato and some other items. I expected a nice hearty sandwich but i was given bread with very few off the aforementioned items inside. When every other bite is bread i tend to get upset. The Wedge was $8.00 The tables i sat at were dirty and in a dingy looking area of the Reading Terminal Market with homeless folks walking by. Uncomfortable. Maybe ill try a Cheese-steak or Pizza here next time, if there is a next time.
(2)
Felicia C.
Really good pizza at this place!! (And I am NOT a big pizza fan.) And their lasagna is a huge serving, and it really satisfies your pasta craving. Their many varieties of salads are pretty good, too.
(4)
Christopher O.
I was in philly yesterday attending the auto show.Since I did not want to freeze like a human popsicle eating at pats,geno's or tony lukes,I took a short walk across the street to the reading terminal market.I went to by george for a philly steak.It was good.Its not like the places I mentioned above but a great steak sandwich.I would return back
(4)
Jonny Q.
Really good cheesesteak, lots of other fresh ingredients and options. Line is confusing and crowded, but it's worth it.
(4)
Brodie L.
An very avg cheesesteak. Only got it because it was in redding terminal. You can find better. I've heard their pizza is better.
(3)
Ezra S.
Great pizza, huge variety, prices are high.
(4)
Mohun K.
A big selection of food - pizza, sandwiches, cheesesteaks, etc. Had the Parma and Chicken cutlet for lunch on 3/20/13. Food is fresh and tasty! Would love to try the calzones.
(4)
Kristy R.
Their cheesestake is HUGE! So good, so yummy, so messy...so big. You're guaranteed to bring the other half home unless you're a bottomless pit.
(4)
Lisa G.
I just got into Philly and was dying for a "real" cheesesteak. I decided on the chicken/provolone. My first bite was delicious, but subsequent bites were just okay. I think I had my mouth worked up for more than it was. I do love the bustling atmosphere of Reading Terminal Market. You can expect the lines to be long, but the guys at the counter are nice and it's a fun place.
(3)
Ryan D.
Came here for a cheesesteak with sharp provolone, peppers and onions. I'll say that it was pretty good, but not mind blowing. The meat was a little dry, and it wasn't quite as flavorful as other cheesesteaks I've had. But that's kind of splitting hairs: it was still pretty tasty, and maybe my expectations were just too high.
(3)
Michelle Y.
I was starving so I got a chicken & broccoli stromboli for lunch - this sandwich was humongous plus it came with a tub of tomato dipping sauce. The crust is thinner than a calzone but this sandwich was stuffed with tons of chicken and pretty much a whole wheel of cheese. It was a very heavy, if delicious, meal. The Reading Terminal is madness at lunch but it's worth the line up for good food (the cheesesteak sandwichs are just as filling and tasty!).
(4)
Keno C.
i don't care what anyone says, this spot has the best cheese steaks in philly! properly situated in the reading terminal market, where you will find pleasure in partaking in all of the joys of an eclectic farmers' market! thank me later...
(5)
Alvis D.
IMO, the best pizza in the city. When I worked in Center City I went at least once a week for a slice or 2. All of their ingredients are fresh and the tomato sauce is delicious. Highly recommended.
(5)
El S.
Went there again a few weeks back for lunch. Drove down from NYC and took my crew (Tony the D and two bland Irish guys) there. Had two tomato slices (one square, one regular) and broccoli rabe. Pay attention to that because that's how a man orders his lunch, jackass! The service was very solid, helpful and pleasant....that counts for a lot! I love this place...wish we had it in NY.
(5)
Phillip L.
I was severely disappointed by this place after reading the reviews. I waited all day to try a cheesesteak and when I got there 1 hour before they closed, the male cashier rudely looked at me and said no more cheesesteaks for the day. I looked behind him and a cook was cooking a large fresh batch of meat for cheesesteaks??? Very odd. Ok, I'll try some of their pizza. I walked to the side and said excuse me to one of the girls working the area. Ok no answer, I'll try again, no answer again? Third time and still no answer? She just walked away like she didn't even see me. I should have went elsewhere at this point but I still wanted to try a slice of pizza because it's what they're known for and I'm from out of town. After finally getting another girl to assist me (even though her customer service skills could use a lot of work), I then ordered a chicken parmigiana hot sandwich and a slice of their pepperoni pizza. I was starving at this point and dug right in. The pizza tasted old and not fresh at all. The chicken parmigiana sandwich was even worse. Dry chicken that tasted a few days old. I couldn't even eat the dry bun it came in. Such a waste of money. Very rude staff and old food here. Do yourself a huge favor and go to the Dutch Eating Place at the other side of the Reading Terminal Market. MUCH better friendly service and FRESH food there.
(1)
Joe B.
Went here because they had the shortest of all the places we tried. Boy am I glad we did!! Cheesesteaks were great! Moist big heroes with provolone cheese. Let me not forget that we added onions which really kicked it up a notch. I don't know about the tourist trap cheesesteak places here but I do know that these were damn good and I don't know how much better you can do!,
(4)
Michelle P.
I love all things Italian - food, dessert, wine, men... oh wait... this is yelp... so yes... food... By George's has Italian food that tastes homemade! They have Stromboli ($6.25), pizza ($2.75 to $3.50 a slice), pannini's (7.99 each), sandwiches (7.50 each), salads (8.99 lb.), gnocchi, calzones ($6.25)eggplant Parmesan, chicken Florentine, stuffed peppers, eggplant Gorgonzola ravioli, manicotti, a variety of homemade sauces (marina w or w/o meat, sun-dried tomato basil pesto, roasted pepper pesto, Alfredo, white clam, vodka blush, fra diavolo)... the list goes on and on. A local Philadelphian directed me here, and my colleague who ate here loved every item. I had delicious chicken Parmesan with 2 meet balls. My mouth is watering as I write this review. I'm sitting in Houston catching up on my reviews and wishing I had longer to enjoy Philly!
(5)
Karen F.
They catered an event for me with cold salads (mozzarella balls, pasta etc.) Very good food and decent prices. Will use again. I should clarify - they made the food - but I had to come pick it all up. Still - a great option.
(4)
Jess K.
I settled on getting lunch at By George because everything else in Reading Terminal seemed less healthy. I ordered a piece of salmon and some spinach with sun-dried tomatoes and then made the mistake of also ordering some sort of broccoli rabe coated in garlic. It was terrible. The salmon and spinach were fine but nothing special. Those three things cost me $13 which seems pricey. Perhaps I should have ordered something greasier since this is a tourist trap and most tourists aren't watching their weight. Maybe I should have asked one of the Amish people serving food for a recommendation. Kidding. I was in Philly for work and I am glad I went to Reading Terminal to check it out but I wouldn't go back for lunch again.
(2)
Laura D.
I went here for lunch yesterday and ate the "European" sandwich which consisted of roasted eggplant, asparagus, kale, fresh mozzarella, and seasonings on a crunchy multi-grain baguette. Pros: The fresh mozzarella was truly delicious and the bread was surprisingly flavorful (I think from toasted sesame seeds) Cons: This sandwich was incredibly difficult to eat. Like, astonishingly difficult. It was cumbersome, assembled strangely, and at times I felt like a dog with a chew toy when I was trying to bite through the bread. Overall, this sandwich was not worth the effort it took to eat.
(2)
Jaclyn B.
Best slice of my life! Great service!
(5)
Kaitlin L.
mmm. Fresh pasta. There are few things in life that are as enjoyable as fresh pasta. Add in that I don't have to make it myself AND it's fairly priced and I'm in love. For something like $4 a pound (or $5 for specialty pasta -- spinach, garlic, lemon herb, etc), By George offers delicious fresh pasta that you can cook at home. It can be cut as spaghetti, fettuccine, lasagna sheets, etc. The other products at this stand look fantastic, but I seriously can't get past the pasta. Why did it take me so long to know about this???
(4)
lysa p.
Very good cheesesteak. Would actually go back here! HUGE cheesesteaks, served a wide variety of ways- you can't go wrong.
(4)
Dwight M.
I love their tomato pie, haven't had it for a while but it sure is good
(4)
Ryan W.
I got an $11 cheesteak here and, although it was huge, it was also bland bland bland. I even asked for the sharp provolone on it, and yet flavor was seriously lacking. I've made better Steak-um cheesesteaks at home myself.
(2)
Nicolas B.
Was good but I already ate better pizza.
(3)
DJ M.
by george, I think he's got it... even though few others do. by george does make homemade pastas, cut to order and homemade sauces, of which I did buy some to fill my pantry, along with fresh and aged cheeses, cut or grated to order. Pizzas can be made with whole wheat and the breads, rolls and sandwiches are fresh and very eye appealing, they also sell their freshly made pizza dough. They have your typical Italian market delights, like fresh mozzarella balls, roasted peppers and olives. Being in Philly they offer the cheesesteaks, as well as Italian sandwiches. They have frozen pastas, like ravioli to take home and fresh Stromboli and calzones, to eat there or take home and bake. They also do catering and can be reached via bygeorgecatering@comcast… Whatever, let's talk pizza! No matter where we have lived, it has taken forever to find a great pizza shop, that makes what we consider a great pizza. We like our crust thin and this is certainly rolled as thin as you can get it. I never thought I would say this, but it could have been a little bit thicker, so that I could pick it up and just bite, but I had to fold it NY style and slide it into my mouth bite by bite. Still, it was a great slice of pepperoni pizza. I love a great, non watery seasoned sauce and the sauce was a rich, homemade sauce, even though I would have preferred a few more herbs. The mozzarella was real and strung out with each bite. It was early, maybe a quarter til ten in the morning and I have been craving a slice of pepperoni pizza for quite some time. They knew I was coming, as they set that hot pizza, along with the others, on display on the glassed shelf. All kinds of great pastas and sauces to look at, many types of pizza on display before my eyes, but I was fixated on that greasy pepperoni pizza and I finally answered with, I'll have a slice of the pepperoni, please! A nice sized slice was paddled into their white brick oven and served to me piping hot, I mean mouth burning, five minutes of piping hot fresh pizza and I was so happy, which cost me three dollars and change. I was with five others, who thought it was too early for pizza, what do they know, but they walked backwards watching me walk, browse and enjoy my thin crusted, greasy pepperoni pizza. My daughter ended up going back for a chicken caesar on an Italian roll, with roasted peppers, caramelized onions and both spinach and romaine lettuce. Payback is a bitch, as I walked along side of my daughter and watched her devouring that sandwich.
(5)
Don M.
I ordered a cheesesteak with cheese sauce and my wife ordered one with sharp provolone. I had never had a " Philly" cheesesteak, but am pretty sure a Steak-Um sandwich would be just as good. It was very bland and unfulfilling. The onion rings were good, crispy and greasy. The girl taking the orders seemed annoyed to be working there, but in her defense, she seemed to be carrying the load there.
(2)
Barry L.
Cheese steak is great, they literally take a fresh meat, and start cooking it in front of you! Great place to try a steak if you're visiting reading terminal!
(4)
Chrissy K.
I didn't realize Hershey's makes their pizza sauce!
(2)
Sam A.
Pizza steak was the best! Way better than DiNic's and Jim's.
(5)
Joey F.
One of my favorite pizza slices in Philly. I had the tomato pie because I wanted to taste the most basic pizza they had in order to experience the flavors best. Good decision. The sauce is amazing. I wish I could make sauce like this. It is rich, and full flavored. You can taste a touch of sweetness from slow simmered, caramelized tomato sugars. It was really very great. Crust was good. Thick, crispy and chewy. I haven't had any of their other foods because RTM has so many options. I need to go back.
(4)
Mt C.
ordered a broccoli rabe chicken CHEESE steak for $9.25, then they charge you 75 cents for cheese...... just an ok steak.
(3)
Michael T.
Great food and friendly staff, just as it should b. Cheers!
(5)
Meg C.
My source for fresh pasta in Center City. Totally worth the premium price. You get to choose what kind of pasta (egg, whole wheat, spinach, ect.) and the cut of noodle you would like. They also have a wide variety of sauces in case you are too lazy to make your own. The prepared foods are top-quality as well.
(4)
D. B.
I had lunch at By George yesterday, and the food was DISGUSTING. How this place ever got any good reviews is beyond me. I had the chicken parm sandwich. It had an enormous hunk of chicken, must have been at least an inch and a half think, not a cutlet, and it was tough and chewy. Breading on the chicken parm was soggy and mushy, as was the roll. My companion had a chicken cheese steak that he said was mediocre at best. Avoid this place.
(1)
RICK L.
Philly comfort food heaven! By George is a bedrock of the RTM. We had: a classic cheesesteak "with"; a cheesesteak without the bread (one of us is gluten-intolerant); a veggie sandwich i.e. roasted peppers, provolone, broccoli rabe, fried onions -- gooey heaven although I think I'd skip the onions next time, just makes it too messy -- and a slice of plain pizza. It was our best eating in a week-long vacation in Philly and the Jersey Shore.
(4)
Mary Jo S.
If your hotel room has a small kitchenette or if you are on your way home, Pasta by George offers wonderful homemade pasta and sauces. (They also offer cooked Italian meals). We picked up a marinara sauce with sun dried tomato basil pesto and ricotta cavatelli which was the least exotic of their offerings but one of our favorites. We also bought a nice Parmesan and were on our way to the MIL for dinner after the conference.
(4)
Geoff D.
We were in town for the Lightfair International trade show and the Reading market was packed with people. We almost gave up on the long lines and the overwhelming choices when I spotted this display of sandwiches/hoagies/subs/footlongs/whatever you want to call them. (see picture 11). We had three different sandwiches and all three were just delicious! Excellent meats, flavorful fresh mozzarella, and veggies from the farmers market all inside a variety of thick, crusty breads. Perfect.
(4)
Justin C.
I ate for the second time here today. It was a much different experience. I had the same thing I had last time, a pepperoni calzone and a caesar salad. The calzone was better than before, with ricotta cheese stuffed inside. It was phenomenal. The caesar salad was horrible however. The dressing tasted like water. Weird because the last time it was amazing. Service was still great, Caesar salad was not. Still I would try the Caesar anyways. It might be good the time you drop by.
(4)
Steve A.
I've gone to bygeorge twice now, and been extremely happy on both occasions. Their cheesesteaks are massive and better than some of the more famous places farther south in the city. Their pizza is also delicious. I've tried just a single piece of thin crust which was fantastic. Great buttery taste. Stromboli is also highly recommended. Lots of pepperoni packed in there. Lots of places to eat in reading terminal, but this is one of the best I've found.
(4)
m M.
I had a slice of plain pizza and By George today @ the Reading Terminal market and its probably the best I've had next to Lorenzo & Son Pizza on South St. The pizza was good and the service was fast and friendly even though we had a 5 minute wait time because of how busy Reading Terminal Market is. Overall I would recommend it for a quick and cheap bite for lunch.
(4)
Angela W.
Fresh pestos. Fresh pasta. Nice people and all found in the famous Reading Terminal Market. I get a Roasted Red Pepper pesto from By George that I just can't get enough of. By George is also where I first ever saw a nut pesto which encouraged me to make almond pesto a year ago. Greaaaaat old world flavor you'll enjoy...Thanks George!
(5)
Betty J.
Love this place! Last time I had the cheese steak with spinach & garlic it was delish! Today I bought some frozen ravioli to take home. Can't wait to try it! YUM! Go hungry....or get something to go!
(5)
Frank C.
I saw one review that said the cheese-steak was "HUGE". I would call it normal, but their sodas could be bigger. The sandwich and soda was exactly $10. As with any food in the Reading Terminal, get it "to go" and find a seat.
(4)
Warren A.
I had a slice here today. O.M.God it was good. Not Philly-good, mind you. Actual-good. The sauce had a bit of kick, and the vegetables were added perfectly: a few nice big pieces - not a bunch of little scraps so it's falling out all over the place. It could have done with another minute in the brick oven, but I'm looking forward to return to sample the many other slice options.
(4)
Undercova A.
Someone I love brought me a cheesesteak. All the way from Philly. On a bus, no less. And then I refrigerated it. And then I heated it up. Yet, this was a masterpiece cheesesteak! Wonderfully juicy, replete with pungent onions and rich provolone cheese. Can you imagine how good this would have been right off the griddle? Only $8.00!
(4)
Jonathan C.
I love Philadelphia! one of the three best American cities! However, it is time to disassociate this great urban center with such a terrible food...the Philly cheesesteak sandwich! no matter where you order it, you get nothing more than slices of the worst beef cuts, fried in cheap grease on a flat grill, thrown into various types of roll, and dressed with cheese. By George is on par with it's better known competition south of city center, but NONE of them can make anything that comes close to making this awesome city proud. To include the word, "steak," is just wrong! hoagies are more varied and of better taste, quality, and a better bargain.
(1)
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Address :Reading Terminal Market,51 N 12th St
Philadelphia, PA, 19107
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Rho L.
While at Reading Market, we yelp searched for Cheesesteaks yet again, cause you know, having these meaty, greasy sammies only once just doesn't cut it. We found By George, read their reviews and decided to jump in line. In truth though, my husband was craving the cheesesteak, and I wanted NY pizza. Fortunately for us, By George offered both, with a steadily busy line on either side. They also had other italian pasta dishes too. We got a cheesesteak with provolone, no veggies and a slice of pepperoni. Our sandwich had a generous portion of meat, wasn't too greasy at all because that sesame roll held well on its own. Our sandwich survived the 4 block walk back to our car, without creating a grease hole through the bag. I split it with my hubby who seemed to enjoy it thoroughly. The pizza was good, it definitely was a new york style pizza, but it needed more pepperoni. Despite the lack of pepperoni, our slice was still pretty dang greasy. Overall, we enjoyed our pizza and cheese steak, though with a slight preference for the latter.
(4)Keigo I.
Good place for quick bite! There is always a long line, you have to wait a bit. But the cheesesteak was nice! It was pretty larger than I expected, and not that oily!
(5)Cameron L.
I've had cheesesteaks at a few places in the Philly area now and I think this place may be near the top of the list. Two things you'll notice right off the bat about the cheesesteaks from By George!- size and sesame seeds. Because of the size, these cheesesteaks really fill you up. And because of the sesame seeds... well I'm not really sure they do anything aside from add a slight nutty flavor. All in all, quality meat and bread combine with sesame seeds for some quality cheesesteaks.
(4)Jennifer K.
Making the cheesesteaks fresh to order is the way to go and worth the wait. This is one of the best places in Philly to get cheesesteaks. Meat is plentiful, tender, flavorful and the provolone adds so much. The unique part of this steak is the sesame roll. Love it!
(4)Tony L.
While I was walking around the market and visiting philly, I decided to get a cheesesteak...of course, because I am a freaking TOURIST! Cheesesteak here is good but I am not rating this place by what I ate. I am rating this by what my gf got...a Veggie cheesesteak. OMG, it was so good and so flavorful; no amount of additional meat will make the meaty version better thAn this. This veggie cheesesteak has a nice spicy taste to it to make it more smoky and rich. Okay, some of you would say that no meat = not a cheesesteak. Ok, but it was a f__king good sub that you will need to try, even if you are undertaking some kind of war on vegetable....
(5)Maria C.
Solid cheesesteak sandwich. I came here twice and was disappointed the first time. Supposedly they ran out of bread. "Ran out of bread?!" You're a freakin' cheesesteak place, how can you run out of bread?! Second time around they had bread. YAY for me. I ordered the cheesesteak with mushrooms and American cheese (no whiz here!!!). Got my order to-go and off I went. I opened the wrapper and saw mounds of meat! Now that's what I'm talking about. Then the sandwich fell thru when they forgot to put my mushrooms in my sandwich. WTF... Admittedly, I enjoyed the sandwich less the mushrooms. It was hearty, delicious and plentiful. This cheesesteak is definitely much better than Carmen's in the Reading Terminal.
(4)Jordan P.
Things that separate this spot from the countless others in Philly: -They do NOT offer buffalo chicken cheesesteaks (woe is me) -They split up the lines depending on what you order (love that) -The seeded, crusty buns are THE JAM! Holds up to the greasy glory that lies within, more so than some other rolls I've experienced. Lines move fast, food comes out fresh, and the price is not too different than other establishments. When I'm overwhelmed with the lines at DiNics, Spataros, or Carmen's.... this makes a surprisingly great choice. I've only had a slice of 'za once, but it was tasty. I prefer the cheesesteaks, personally.
(4)Joseph R.
Disappointed with the soggy pasta. The meatballs were great though. It's more a tourist palace to eat than a local. Seems they don't care enough to bring their best. I am sure they could better. I won't order the pasta anymore but the meatballs I will.
(3)Maisha R.
I was in Philly for a conference and I knew that I had to get a cheesesteak. It had been years since I'd visited Philly and I was so looking forward to getting another one of those greasy but delicious sandwiches. The convention center was close to Reading Market so we ate several meals there. There were a number of cheesesteak booths in the market so we randomly asked one of the market employees which one was the best. We were told it was By George. So, we headed to the back of the market and waited in the lunch hour line to place an order there. We got a cheesesteak with grilled onions and cheese, along with an order of their fries. After waiting about ten minutes, our order was ready. The cheesesteak was delicious. The beef was tender and seasoned, the cheese was nicely melted and the roll held up well to the large portion of beef and didn't get soggy. The sandwich was huge so it was a great idea to split it. The fries were tasty but they were too limp for my liking and they were extremely greasy. Although this place doesn't have the best cheesesteaks in Philly, it was definitely good enough to satisfy my cheesesteak craving. If I was stopping by this market again, I would return to By George's.
(4)Jack M.
I and my whole family got cheesesteaks here on Saturday because the line everywhere else was so long. I am so glad we did. This is the best cheesesteak I've had yet in Philly. Better than John's Roast Pork and Prince's by far. For 9 bucks you get about 3/4 pound of beautiful beef scraps with your choice of provolone or American. The ~12" seeded rolls on which they come are phenomenal. They are soft and allow the meat to play the leading role in this culinary masterpiece. The fried onions I got also played quite well well the oozy cheese and slightly crisped beef. If you're looking for a great cheesesteak in a bustling Philly setting come to By George! These guys do it right. This is a huge sandwich, so you might want to share the glory with somebody else. I don't give five stars very often, but when I do, the food is incredible.
(5)Michael W.
Good cheese steak but a bit greasy and the bread wasn't to my liking. For they money, I'd buy again but I might try to find one different. Of course, it might be far worse!
(4)Yo A.
I had the chicken parm, a beef meat ball, a spinach and feta chicken meat ball.. It was okay, wasnt the best I ever had, the chicken was cooked well but the meat balls were terrible. The meatballs taste like dog food.. Im so sure the meat balls were dog food, that I dare a an scientist or lab tech to analyze the meatballs and do a ingredient comparison.. I wanted to order the cheesesteak because the are huge and look amazing but by the time it was my turn to order, the cashier told me they ran out of steak! I will leave you with this, the chicken parm was good, the cheesesteak looks good but eat the meatballs at your own risk..
(4)Richard R.
I had some guests in from the U.K. and we visited the Reading Terminal Market for lunch. My friend and his 21 year old son wanted to try Cheese Steak so I asked some workers at the Reading Terminal who had the best Cheese Steak. The answer was a unanimous By George! The line was fairly long but moved quickly We placed our order and were given a number. I told my guests to avoid the Cheese Wiz and we went with real cheese. I am not a big fan of the wiz. Our cheese steaks were massive. My friend and myself split one and we were both full. My friend's son managed to eat his whole sandwich on his own! The roll was very good and fresh and the sandwich was not soggy at all. The meat was well seasoned and chopped up a bit which i like. I really do prefer it this way also over the larger pieces of steak served at Genos, etc. I was pleasantly surprised how great tasting this Cheese Steak was. Tables were hard to come by on a Saturday just before Christmas, but after a short wait we found one. I love the Reading Terminal, my father used to bring my family here when we were small children. It still has the same feel but they have done a nice job keeping it updated and vibrant. It is a must see when visiting Philadelphia and if you want a pretty darn good Cheese Steak, try By George!
(4)Matt S.
I got the chicken parmesan, which may have been a dumb choice, but it wasn't very good. It was about $9 for not so good piece of chicken covered in sauce and a slice of cheese. If I were to go back to Reading Terminal I try something else.
(2)Kevin B.
Decided to cruise around Center City to find a cheesesteak. Open up my Yelp application and saw that By George was one of the higher ranked restaurants in my area. So I stopped in the Reading terminal to see how theirs compared to the rest. Fantastic. First of all, the steak was huge. In hindsight I probably should've eaten half of it and saved the rest for later since I was so full, I couldn't move later on to do anything else. But oh well. Tons of meat and I got mine loaded up with mushrooms. I didn't order fries or anything but the steak alone was enough for a full meal. Cheesesteak and a drink was about 12 dollars which isn't bad. It's tons of restaurants in the Reading Terminal but if you want a real good cheesesteak, stop by here.
(4)Dayna W.
I think they have the best food. I love their Capri sandwich. When I come to Philly I have to always stop at By George to get their Capri sandwich. I'm a stickler for fresh ingredients. When you have a mix of Tomato, Basil and mozzarella that's something you do not want to get old ingredients. The service staff was very nice and accommodating. We were wanting to try more of the selection there. We have had plenty of Cheese steaks and pizza and were wanting to try something a little more different. The lady behind the counter suggested that we try their fresh Mozzarella balls. The Mozzarella balls were very very good. The only thing was lacking which was on us is that we didn't ask for more of the oil. Other than that it was wonderful. They were so good though. I even added a couple of the mozzarella balls my sandwich and it made it even better. Really made my day.
(5)Jody G.
Huge tasty cheese-steaks? Yes please! These are wonderful, cooked fresh, and served with a choice of cheese (American or Provolone or the local favorite "Whiz") and with or without a choice of onions, peppers, or mushrooms. The seeded roll is both fresh and soft on the inside and crusty on the outside. I had mine with American cheese and onions.... and it was wonderful!
(4)Dalia V.
Can I please have a Philly cheesesteak? Yeah that's what I just said.. Dumb moment. I am in philly all you have to say is a cheesesteak sandwich. These place has very authentic sandwiches that taste great! 1 sandwich feeds 2 people. They are as big as a 12 inch sub. The only downfall of these place is the wait, no combos and very pricey, I guess they know it's a tourist town. I paid $28 dollars for 2 sandwiches a small soda, 1 small fries and a cheese pizza. The wait it's about 15-20mins. I think they can put more effort in their expediting line. The sandwiches would come out fast but they will be sitting in the counter until the girl who is responsible for complete ring the orders finishes frying one hand full of fries at a time! She literally will fill the basket with only one hand and That's all! She had so much room to fill that basket, everyone is ordering fries why not have them ready like fast food places. The food is good I recommend.
(4)Jay Y.
Located on the aisle as you walked directly straight on from the 12th St. entrance, By George is a good food choice that serves cheap, delicious pizza by slice. My order was a slice of Italian sausage pizza ($3.5) and it was solid! The meat was plenty on the slice that was also filled with cheese so it was certainly worth it. Nothing really to complain about, so I believe that By George is great especially if you want a quick, cheap eat at Reading Terminal Market.
(4)Carla G.
Love love love their pizza... I hate going to Reading Terminal because it is such a tourist trap...but when I want some good pizza I'll chalk it and trek on down there . Where I live in Germantown, the crap that they call pizza is a sin...I hate that no place local is available to get a half decent pizza of any kind. So...Pizza by George is my spot for a slice or two. I just wish it was closer.
(5)Rachel M.
I was at the convention center when I needed a quick bite to eat so I yelped nearby restaurants and this joint came up with decent reviews so I gave it a try. However, I was not impressed with the cheesesteak sandwich. I got sharp provolone, which was and additional $1.00 charge too. The sandwich was very dry with little taste. I have no plans on returning.
(2)Daphne R.
We had the tomato pie. It was amazing! One slice will fill you up!! It was the best I have EVER had. It was thick and doughy with a crispy bottom. They were on the list for tripadvisor and I can see why!
(5)Lela T.
We ordered a half pound of sausage and peppers, 2 cheesesteak specials, eggplant parmigiana and vegetable lasagna. We got a half pound of sausage and peppers, 1 cheesesteak special, chicken parmigiana and vegetable lasagna. Hey! 3 out of 5 ain't bad and I got the last cheesesteak. LOL! Plus, I was REALLY glad they only gave me one special because it was ENORMOUS! Hearty, hot and filling and on a cold winter night, it was exactly what we needed. It was really good and exactly what we wanted and expected. Tasty and stuck to our ribs.
(4)Dillon W.
Honestly the best cheese steak I've had in a long time. A bit on the pricey side ($12 for a cheesesteak and small fries combo - drink not included). Come hungry because one sandwich could feed 2 people (although you won't want to share).
(4)Michele M.
Cheesesteaks that are devine. I love visiting and always go here for the wonderful food.
(5)Jennifer P.
Amazing cheesesteaks on great bread!! :) it's conveniently located inside the Reading Terminal Market. Although we normally get cheesesteaks they have a great selection of other foods. Mostly Italian. Be sure to grab a seat in the market itself because George's doesn't have its own seating. Always delicious!
(5)Suzy D.
You guys. Seriously. YOU MUST TRY THE VEGGIE STEAK. Look, I am not even a real vegetarian, and on the past Saturday when I was touring the market with family, I was seriously on the verge of breaking down and ordering something meaty like the rest of them - delicious meats were all around, and the smell from By George was SO tempting. But wait a minute: at the last second I spied a small, unassuming sign inviting me to "Try Our Veggie Steak", with a huge list of delicious veggies underneath. I realized that this list wasn't an "options" list, it was literally a list of ALL THE THINGS that the sandwich contained, and it was MASSIVE: mushrooms, broccolini, red onion, spinach, bell peppers, hot peppers, and SO MANY MORE - I can't even remember, it was a huge list. And the list included cheese. I was sold. My dining companions got their cheesesteaks, and I got my veggie steak (promptly prepared before our eyes), and we retired to the central tables to judge for ourselves. O. M. G. Within a bite, I knew this was one of the sandwich highlights of my life. It was stuffed, over stuffed even, with goodness. Melty cheese. Perfectly sauteed veg. ACTUAL SPICE. Like, legitimately hot peppers. I promise you, this is a sandwich that needs no meat. No exaggeration. By George, I will be seeing you again soon - get the veggies ready!!!
(5)Calvin S.
Oh man, real philly cheesesteaks! Finally! I always wanted to try a real philly cheesesteak ever since the craze began for me about 10 years ago. Personally I haven't been to Philly since around 2003, so it's been a long time coming. I know there are better locations, but I wanted one that's in the Center City and accessible to public transit...in which this location seemed to fit well. We ordered the mushroom and onion (something like that?) cheesesteak, and damn it was a footlong! I had to split it amongst 3 people, and even that I barely finished it. It was packed with juicy beef, topped with some of the best cheese I've ever had! We also had the beef lasagna, which...let's put it this way, I could've done without. Nothing special and I've had better lasagna, that's for sure. Mmm. Now I'm craving cheesesteaks again. Too bad nobody does it like the city of origin.
(4)Cara C.
I'm not a Philly native or cheesesteak expert, but this hit the spot! My friend and I both decided a cheesteak was a must during our business trip and with limited free time, we decided to hit the Reading Terminal Market in search of authentic Philly flavor. It just so happened this is the first place we came across and the moderate line, delicious aromas and a great Yelp rating made us decide to make this our choice. We opted to share one, provolone wit (with provolone cheese and grilled onions), with a side of their fresh cut fries. That and a couple of waters ran us about $16, so not a bad deal, considering we were in the heart of a tourist-filled area. The guy who took our order rang us up on a side register to speed things up, and was super friendly and helpful as we ordered. He gave us directions where to wait and pick up or order. Food was ready in less than 5 minutes and we took it to the seating area to enjoy. This cheesesteak was HUGE! The meat was flavorful and the onions and cheese complimented it perfectly. The fries were fresh cut and delicious as well, although I had to stop before we could finish them all. I recommend getting a few extra napkins if you aren't into messes, and be prepared to smell a little oniony the rest of the day. That said, it was totally worth the cheesesteak hands and we were so glad we stopped when we did!!
(5)Pamela M.
Philly is meant to be the home of cheesesteaks and yet this place was beyond subpar. The service was slow and there was a line which made us belief that the food had to be great but boy were we disappointed. We did not find the meat to be well seasoned and the bread seemed to be on the hard side. This was all topped by service that seemed to be on the I do not feel like being at work side. I will not be returning.
(2)Ellington W.
Ordered the chicken cheesesteak hoagie and a side of fries. The fries were greasy and soggy. Remarkably they were still flavorful. The chicken Philly was so good. I mean it was phenomenal! It's huge. Two people can definitely share. The lunchtime line was extremely long but they move very quickly. I would without a doubt eat here again. Took one star off for them not draining the fries.
(4)Don F.
Terminal Reading's BEST cheesesteak. Heck,best I've ever had. Classic philly, fresh ribeye, onions, cheese, on a toasted sesame seed hoagie. We took ours to the airport and then CHOWED-DOWN on that suckah. #MMMMM
(5)Augustina G.
This spot is loved by tourists attempting to get a taste of an authentic Philly cheesesteak as well as school-age children trying to get their hands on some pizza. I'll talk about the pizza because who doesn't love it?! Generally good stuff! My personal favorite has got to be the chicken with garlic, spinach, and tomato. Not too much sauce, but not too little and has just the right about of cheese. That's super important. The toppings are generally spread out on all of the pizzas. The pepperoni pizza isn't skimping on the pepperonis either. The Mediterranean pizza is practically a salad on a pizza pie. For your healthy ones, you can eat this one and not feel too guilty afterwards. They also sell pizza dough for a few dollars, if you want to get fancy at home and make your own pizza.
(3)Hailey N.
Excellent Philly Cheesesteak. Exactly what we were looking for: very meaty, great bread, and very cheesy. Definitely going to come back!
(5)Paulina T.
First time in philly I had high hopes for this cheesesteak but it was too salty I only took a bite.. Make sure to ask them to go easy on the salt and then it might be good.
(1)Phil P.
Line was super long for the cheesesteaks. So we went to the pizza line instead. AMAZING. I got the Tomato Pie and it was great. Highly recommend. The other two people with me loved their pizza as well.
(5)Peter K.
A good cheesesteak. This is the biggest and most filling cheesesteak I've had!
(4)mike v.
Everything is good here...but their cheesesteaks, WOW.!!! Some of the best in the city. Definitely in my top 3 along with Mama's and Steve's. Cheesesteaks are a lot like John's Roast Pork's only better. If you like John's, you will probably prefer George's!! This is an AMAZING cheesesteak, and I've had them ALL. The flavor is sensational and they use a great seeded roll.
(5)Tom M.
My opinion of By George is a victim of its location. If I had By George in my neighborhood, I'd probably order from them a few times a month. In Reading Terminal Market however, I'm not too excited about it. They have good pizza, pasta etc. If you try it you will like it. I have not had the cheesesteaks. Its just not that exciting compared to the ridiculously wonderful local fare the rest of Reading Terminal has to offer. Yesterday (4-14-10) I needed something to keep a sandwich I was bringing home cold so I bought two things of their frozen pasta. I am excited to try it.
(4)Duke C.
Been to a few famous and popular spots in Philly for some cheesesteaks, and this Reading Terminal Market vendor is probably my favorite for the classic! I went with the classic cheesesteak with whiz and onions. Love the whiz here. It is beneath the protein so when you bite into the sandwich, after your tongue go through the hoagie, you hit the cheese! Onions are nicely caramelized, and there's a ton of steak. It's not dry like many places either. I also tried it once with bacon added to it. Definitely a must if you like bacon to bring it to the next level! Since this is also an Italian food joint, the cheesesteak with the marinara is solid. I tried a bit of my coworkers and even though it is heavy with the meat, cheese, and the red sauce, it is one hella savory cheesesteak! Get it with the provolone! There's other cheesesteak spots in the market itself, and all with much longer lines than By George. Save some time and come here!
(4)Eric S.
I was in reading terminal with an infant the day after Thanksgiving, my husband went to wait in line at Denic's...which had about 50-60 people waiting. My child was hungry, so I went to By George! to get a slice of pizza. With 5 people in line and 2 people serving pizza, it took around 20 minutes to get one slice of cheese pizza....19 minutes in line with 5 other people ordering pre-made slices. By time I made it back to Denic's, my husband had finished half of his sandwich! The best part, the two guys at the By George station next to the pizza counter with nothing to do and no customers that didn't help. I live in Philly, and there are plenty of pizza places that will serve you better pizza that won't take an hour.
(1)John K.
4 stars for the pizza and antipasti. 3 stars for the cheese steak and fries. So ... we'll just give them 4 stars. ~~~~ Located across the way from Iovine Bothers Produce in Reading Terminal Market, By George Pizza, Pasta, & Cheesesteaks may have a generic, overproduced name, but the grub on offer is homemade and for the most part, on point. Their pizza is pretty good and they've got quite the variety of specialty pies. The Italian antipasti, salads, and apps are fresh, if not a bit pricey. To accommodate the lunchtime rush, they've also got a bevy of specialty sandwiches. Homemade marinara anyone? Or some freshly made pasta? Heck, they even make croutons! But let's get on with the food! When I saw an offer for a cheese steak combo, I knew I had to give them a try. Cheese Steak Combo ($12) Cheese Steak, Small Fries The cheese steak was pretty decent here. There was plenty of chopped steak in this sandwich, though it was a bit dry from being on the flattop too long. Regardless, the meat was well seasoned and filled with fried onions. The Carangi roll was fresh and the sharp provolone provided some necessary funk to the cheese steak. However, keep in mind - there's a dollar add-on if you're going down the provolone route, though it's not advertised nor was I informed. Slightly annoying. The fries are cooked in peanut oil. However, by the time I brought them home (and perhaps some fault lies in this), they were damp and slightly soggy - not exactly crisp. White Slice ($3.75) The pizza at By George is pretty damn delicious though. The white slices in particular are a favorite of mine, with a chewy crust.. Garlic is nicely highlighted amidst all of the cheese. If you're looking for Italian eats or decent pizza and are near RTM, be sure to check out By George. If you need some antipasti, this is the place to get a wide variety of them as well.
(4)Lauren C.
I got off the airplane at PHL SOOOO in the mood for Caprese... and so i headed over to Reading Terminal Market and got an amazing amazing sandwich from these guys. Tomato, basil, mozarella, on bread that had a hint of garlic taste to it. DELICIOUS. They threw it on the panini press to heat it up for me, and served it in paper that kept it warm until i could find a seat. I also wanted 1x artichoke heart that was calling my name while I was waiting for my sandwich to warm up. They were happy to accomodate, and didn't look at me like I was crazy (you know... the face they give you at Dunkin Donuts when you order 1x munchkin?) Also a plus- its across the market from the produce stand. TONS of fresh fruits and veggies for super-cheap without having to venture into the congestion of the market.
(4)Chris G.
Would've given 4 stars but the meat on my cheesesteak could've used more seasoning. Fries were Soso. Ordered seasoned fries but not much season in them. Granted it was heavy lunchtime when I arrived. Overall, if you're hungry and have a taste for a sub stop by. But it won't be the best philly has to offer. The rolls were really good and soft.
(3)Clint W.
By George! Pizza, Pasta & Cheesesteak needs a little work. First of all, the name. Pizza and pasta seem like natural cousins, but cheesesteak alongside in the deli case - it just feels wrong somehow. In Philly, there's cheesesteak and there's the forgeries. By George! isn't a forgery; it's authentic. Not quite the wanna-be's that pop up all over the city, but not quite the genuine article either (not quite the Tony Luke's, in other words). Reading Terminal is an incredible nucleus of restaurants and vendors, an epicenter of PA food and culture. By George! has quality meat and cheese, which you think would be enough to make a good cheesesteak. It is, for the most part, though I'm not sure it's on par with some of the Philly greats: the Pats, the Tony Luke's. I have yet to try Carmen and settle the Reading Terminal battle for top steak, but when I do, you my nonexistent Yelp readers, will be the first to know.
(4)Pat L.
This is the best pizza I have had in Philadelphia; it's on par with the boutique pizzas at Osteria. Nice chewy crust, great toppings--an absolutely outstanding example of the New York style. Salads, sandwiches, pastas, etc. are also quite good, but the pizza shines; it's an under-recognized gem. The people are really nice as well.
(5)Charles W.
I was at the convention center and decided to head over to Reading Terminal market for lunch. I decided to try By George and got the eggplant parmesan and garlic bread. The eggplant was very good and cheesy with a nice sauce. The garlic bread was dry and I could only have 2 bites before I gave up.
(3)Martha F.
Yummy Philadelphia Cheesesteak.....big enough for 2 to share. Located at Reading Terminal.
(4)Jennifer S.
Although it was our plan to try both Pat's and Geno's for an authentic cheesesteak while in Philad'a, upon the advice of the concierge at our hotel, we did not venture out to either of these places. And I am soooo thankful to her for steering us away from those "tourist traps". We ended up finding our own way inside of the Reading Terminal Market. Upon entering the building during a weekday lunch time, we saw a veritable ocean of people. Given the crowds, we stopped at the first place we passed that had "cheesesteaks" on their menu board, and we ordered one cheesesteak (to share) with onions and sharp Provolone. We then waited across from their order counter for our number to be called up amidst the stream of people. Next, we found a couple of chairs open to sit down at a table and tear into our sandwich. Oh my, Dog! I was launched into a tasty sandwich heaven (!), a place previously unknown to me. The sandwich was piled with thinly sliced beef prepared on the griddle with plenty of onions and then topped with a melted sharp Provolone - all on a long and narrow sesame-seeded roll. It was pure and excellent. Out there, they say the bread/roll makes all the difference. I'm going to believe that for the time being. Now, how am I gonna go about getting a fantastic cheesesteak here in the St. Paul/Minneapolis area? I will definitely return to this very spot for another cheesesteak during my next trip to Philadelphia.
(5)Erica M.
I used to think their cheesesteaks were fantastic, but when I went back a couple of times I realized I was either crazy the first few times I had them or the quality really went downhill. After my last cheesesteak and veggie cheesesteak, I don't think I'd try them again.
(3)Sara L.
By George! has been there for me through every lasagna hankering I have ever had. For that alone, I would be a big fan. With a prime location right near the entrance of Reading Terminal Market, By George does a booming take out business with a menu of diverse Italian favorites ranging from slices to cold salads to fresh pastas and sauces to cook at home. I ignored them for years figuring they probably skated by on location and were not very good. I don't know what ever gave me that idea, but I am glad I got over it! Their pizza is not the best in the city, but it is actually very good. I have only had a few of the veggie salads, but they have all featured crisp (not overdone) veggies with an appropriate amount of yummy dressings. They are also one of the few places that I have found that does excellent take-out lasagna. The giant slab they give you would be enough to delight Garfield. My husband seems to really like the chicken parm that I get for him when I'm having personal lasagna night, and the staff always fills the container to capacity with the "side" of linguini. The service is quick and friendly. The prices are great. If you want to enjoy no-effort, delicious homestyle Italian food, but don't have a little Italian grandma to call on, give By George a try.
(4)Andrea H.
The cheesesteaks are amazing here. The location is an indoor market with fun shops and other places to eat. This is the place you want your main dish to come from - the cheesesteaks were the best I've ever had.
(5)Dan A.
If someone asked me where I had the best pizza in Philadelphia, I would have to say it was at By George. If they then said let's go there now and get a slice. I would proably have to point out that we're really only going to get their best pizza at lunch time. If it's later in the day, it's likely the slices have been out there a while. They don't seem to make any more pizzas after lunch time. Of course, you could always order an entire pizza to get around this. There are three changes that I would like to see them make: 1) Open on Sunday. It can be reduced hours if needed. 2) Mark down your pizza slices when you're closing soon. It will help you sell what you have left over. And at the sametime, it's fairer to the customers not to charge the same price as if the pizza just came out of the oven. 3) Offer a vegan pizza. It would be interesting to see what you could do with some Daiya cheese. And I would understand you requiring an entire pizza to be ordered instead of taking a slice. By George is one of my favorite pizza places. If you haven't been there, you should try them for lunch.
(4)Steve W.
In the short year plus that I've lived in Philly, I've been to many places that claim they make the best cheesesteak, but are hardly worth mentioning, so I won't. A couple that are good but not great, are the ones that get most of the tourists: Pat's and Geno's. The other big tourist draw, Jim's is a bit better but not great. Best to leave all 3 to the tourists. In the runner-up category; is Shank's Peir 40 at Penn's Landing and Tony Luke's. Both are very good and worth a trip. Tony Luke's bread is fantastic, really compliments the meat/cheese and doesn't get soggy. By George in the Reading Terminal however beats out all the others. Cheesesteak heaven! The meat is high quality, fresh, and tasty. I prefer mine with onions and provolone cheese on it. Suggest you get there early. The line starts forming before noon and if there's a convention in town (like the car show today) the lines are longer and the seats in the eating area at the terminal are hard to come by. They're also closed on Sundays. If you haven't eaten at the terminal before, it's a great experience and shouldn't be missed. Next on the list is Cosmi's, the Yelp reviews are pretty good here so got to try them.
(5)Tina T.
I decided to pick up something to eat in the Reading Terminal market and thought a cheesesteak sounded good. I ordered one with onions and cheese sauce and a bottled water. Came out to about $11. Got back to my hotel and I was happy it was still very warm. Great portion, too. It was odd, though because the cheese sauce was only on the top and had never permeated to the bottom. The parts without the cheese were dry. I was definitely disappointed. Maybe next time I will try those delicious looking sandwiches in the display case!
(2)Constance A.
I came here early September. My then-boyfriend and I were searching for a place to get Philly Cheesesteak without having to wait on a long line. After reading different reviews for popuar Philly cheesesteak locations on Yelp, George was the winner. We went there and order two cheesesteaks. I like how they have a variety of different types of philly cheesesteak. It makes me want to go back and try the other ones. My former boy and I got the cheesesteak with onions and pepper. Really good. Don't get the combo that comes with the drink. It's not worth it. It's a cup of soda that will barely last you. Since it's located in the Reading Terminal Market, there are soda in a can being sold for a $1. Get one of those instead. All in all, I really like this place and will definitely return next time I'm in Philly.
(5)Zareen S.
So, even though the lines are huge and you may think it is a overrated place because its at the Reading Terminal but this place is no joke. I have had their Pizza, Strombolis, Pasta and Salmon, Spaghetti and Sandwich, Broccoli Rabe - the dough is fresh as ever and taste is superb [couldn't stress enough], along with quality. Nothing here tastes anywhere near bad. Only one complaint : Mr. Manager [ whoever you are, although I know you] stop being so mean to your employees who are suuuuuper nice and sweet and quit bullying them for no reason. Be nice ! I almost took your counter person home with me, I would have if i could. He was super adorable.
(5)Terry M.
This was my first time eating from them. The pizza was the best (mushroom & italian sausage). The slices were a nice size and delish.
(4)Xinyi T.
the cheesesteaks are amazing! the cheese are completely melted inside the steaks. the bum is nice and soft. the cheesesteak is so flavorful. be aware of the size! i was completely stuffed after half of the cheesesteak.
(4)Maurice T.
The Italian Cheesesteak sandwich hit the spot. The peppers & broccoli rabe take the Philly classic to another level of delicious. Next time you're in Reading Terminal Market, grab a sandwich (plan to split it), pull-up a seat at the communal tables, and enjoy.
(5)Chris B.
So I'm working in the Convention Center and am "limited" in what I can get for lunch on an hour...not really, there is SOOOO much greatness near the Convention Center. But the lure of the Reading Terminal is awesome! This place ROCKS! HUGE cheesesteaks, served a wide variety of ways- you can not go wrong. I wish I lived in Philly because I'd have to try the fresh pastas and sauces. This place is the BOMB!!
(5)Jonny D.
Poor name, fantastic food. We had two strombolis and a few slices of pie. The pizza was piled extremely high with toppings. Like an inch high. What a bonkers slice. The strombolis were extremely serious too. Half of one will do you for lunch for sure, and at only 7 or 8 bucks, it's one hell of a lunch deal. The signage makes it hard to find, so look for Iovine produce in one corner of the Market and then look across from them.
(5)Kelly G.
Pizza cheesesteak! In retrospect, it was one of the better cheesesteaks we had, even compared to Pat & Geno's! This arm length roll is stuffed silly with meat and the pizza flavor is introduced in the tomato sauce and onions. Delicious! Their other offerings stand proudly behind the display glass, tempting me to gluttony with their aromatic smells and bright colors. If only my stomach could take more without it going to my waist!
(4)Ali F.
You can get some pretty sweet gourmet slices here. They were a real lifesaver for me while I was stuck waiting to see if I'd be selected for jury duty down the street. Rough times call for yummy food.
(4)Kareem C.
My first review of 2013 . . . Had to travel to Philly for work so I had to search Yelp for a popular place to get a Chicken Philly Cheesesteak. This place is located in a Market in downtown Philly. It appeared that you could purchase any type of food in this bustling and trendy market. Back to the food which was excellent. Fresh cut and perfectly seasoned fries to go along with a humongous chicken cheesesteak. Now as you may or may not know I am a little dude (5'10 174 lbs) so the word humongous is relative. The cheesesteak was delicious. I see why Philly is famous for these sandwiches. I would've given this place a five star but this has got to be the most unhealthiest sandwich ever!
(4)Regina F.
It's excellent when a thin oven-baked pizza crust is covered and cheese and topped with an entire Greek salad...it's even better when this mountain of Greek salad comes with a lofty drizzle of balsamic dressing. Crisp, crunchy and charred, the crust at By George! massacres any other brick oven crust. Oh...and they take Level Up. FTW.
(4)Nicky P.
I ordered a chicken cheesesteak, it was fantastic! Plenty of cheese, actual chicken steak (not the chicken chunks that you get at other places) and they put it on a fresh sesame roll which made it that much more amazing. I never would have thought to put any kind of cheesesteak on a sesame roll but this was the perfect pair. The only downfall is the price... but then again... anywhere in Philadelphia or Reading Terminal for that matter is not that cheap.
(4)Julie L.
Since it was my first time visiting Philly the first time, how could I not eat a cheesesteak? Cliché I know. But I can't resist. ^_^ After wandering around the terminal market, and with soooo many cheesesteak options, I didn't know what to choose. Finally decided to stop over thinking it, and just get one. Cheesesteak was BOMB-DIGGITY. We ordered it will grilled onions and provolone cheese. When we dug into it, the steak was hot, juicy and flavored really nicely. The chunks of steak were a nice size and they didn't skimp with the sandwich. None of the flavors were over powering or salty. The sandwich was pretty big too, so it was really filling. Totally worth it. Get your cheesesteak here!
(4)Jay C.
When going to Philly, everybody says you have to go to Pat's or Geno's for a cheesesteak. But I would skip both of those and make sure you go to By George! at Reading Terminal Market. The cheesesteak I had was huge! And rather than having this big pile of meat sitting there waiting for people to order, their cheesesteak sandwiches are made to order. So when you get them, the bread is warm, the cheese is gooey and melted and it tastes great. Definitely worth it.
(5)Kevin J.
by george is fine food. They don't just dabble in everything, they master it: from chicken caesar salad sandwiches, to pannini, from calzone, to manicotti, from casserole, to meatlovers pizza, from stromboli, to cheesesteaks. The by george people are professionals and all have been in the business for a long time. The kitchen is always open in plain view, so you can watch the food production line all the way from scratch to your dish. This is a great marketing approach, because over by one of the entrances to Reading Terminal, all passersby are bombarded by the sights and smells of by george. Each menu item may be dazzled in freshly cut cheese wheels. Everything is heated to perfection in a coal fired pizza oven and served to you in tin foil to trap all the heat in. Today I would like to open a new yelp category for 6 stars and give it to by george! Frequent customers get a stamp card with free lunch when you buy 10. If you partake in this and order two slices of pizza each day, this works out to $2.73 per slice or so, before tax. Otherwise, it's 3.01 + tax.
(5)Leah K.
We were all set to just go to any of the cheese steak vendors in Reading terminal, when we saw a security guard walk by and grabbed her to ask for her recommendation. She sent straight over to By George and we were not disappointed. I don't even generally like Cheese steaks but this is one of the best I've ever had.
(4)David W.
I'm a long-term fan of their pizza and calzones. I don't know if they still sell the frozen calzone, but when they did, the veggie was excellent, a very good value. If in the Terminal, definitely try this place.
(5)Miguel V.
This is a very mixed review cuz i came here twice in as many days and had very different experiences. The first time, I stuck with the pizza and the second time I decided to try the "new cheesesteak menu". Here goes. So the pizza was NY style, which everyone tries to claim. Being from the place, I have to give them their props on a decent slice. Don't get me wrong, this was nothing amazing, but much less removed than the pathetic version we get in San Diego. I got a tomato and spinach, and a tomato, chicken, and spinach slice. I can't comment on their sauce cuz I didn't get a slice with sauce. I love tomato slices! These were pretty good. The dough was a little flimsy on one, and a little thick and doughy on the other. They haven't quite mastered it yet. Could have used some more cheese, but the flavor and seasoning was all there. The crust was reasonably crusty and not too doughy, which was pretty good. Based on this experience, definitely four stars. I am not from Philly and definitely not a cheesesteak expert. I know they ask a lot of clarifying questions when you ordered, but from what I know about it, all you really need to tell them is "whiz wit onions" and that should be enough info. So, that's what I told them essentially. The damn thing was enormous, reasonably priced ($7.95 I believe), and smelled amazing. However, when I unwrapped it, it was not on anything that resembled an Amoroso. It was on some kind of baguette type thing with sesame seeds on it ( yelp.com/biz_photos/7eDX… ). Really?! Sesame seeds?! and they weren't even joking. I almost went back and asked for a refund, but I figured I would tough it out. The sandwich, as I will call it, was not that bad. In fact, the steak was very, very well seasoned and was very flavorful. Not enough whiz, but that's all good. The first half, the whiz was fine, but the second half, it got a little clumpy, like it wasn't hot enough or something. kinda nasty. However, as anyone from Philly that I have ever talked to knows, the bread makes or breaks it. it was tough, baguette style bread, in contrast to nice, soft, delicious Amoroso. For this experience, they barely get two stars. You do the math. I might come back for their pizza, but wouldn't dream of getting another cheesesteak.
(3)raquel s.
I'm convinced after many visits that By George has the best pizza in the city. I go there with my boyfriend for lunch on our days off even if we are no where near it. I've never ever had pizza I didn't like-- recently I tried the chicken with ricotta and roasted red peppers. MmM. So flavorful, so thin. I wish they would open another location not inside the Reading Terminal so they could be open later.
(5)Nestor M.
the first time I had a Philly Cheese steak was from here. it was a bite of my girlfriends and I remember it tasting like a dream. then the second time I had it I ordered a whole one for myself and have my gf the wrapper to eat off anything that fell off my steak. it was not as good the second time around. it was dry. it was a good steak but there has to be consistency. that's why people come back. definitely the best cheese steak in the reading terminal market
(4)Jerry C.
Your employee, Heather, seems miserable, the wedge had way too much bread compared what was inside and the price was Eh. 'Order hot food here' line---' Order pizza here' line ... Where can i get a cold sandwich? I asked if they had a menu of wedges. No. Can i get one custom made. No. The woman pointed to a few wedges with signs in a, duhh don't you see what we have, sort of way. No smile, no thank you. Nothing. I chose the Euro Wheat. If my memory service it had eggplant, mozzarella, tomato and some other items. I expected a nice hearty sandwich but i was given bread with very few off the aforementioned items inside. When every other bite is bread i tend to get upset. The Wedge was $8.00 The tables i sat at were dirty and in a dingy looking area of the Reading Terminal Market with homeless folks walking by. Uncomfortable. Maybe ill try a Cheese-steak or Pizza here next time, if there is a next time.
(2)Felicia C.
Really good pizza at this place!! (And I am NOT a big pizza fan.) And their lasagna is a huge serving, and it really satisfies your pasta craving. Their many varieties of salads are pretty good, too.
(4)Christopher O.
I was in philly yesterday attending the auto show.Since I did not want to freeze like a human popsicle eating at pats,geno's or tony lukes,I took a short walk across the street to the reading terminal market.I went to by george for a philly steak.It was good.Its not like the places I mentioned above but a great steak sandwich.I would return back
(4)Jonny Q.
Really good cheesesteak, lots of other fresh ingredients and options. Line is confusing and crowded, but it's worth it.
(4)Brodie L.
An very avg cheesesteak. Only got it because it was in redding terminal. You can find better. I've heard their pizza is better.
(3)Ezra S.
Great pizza, huge variety, prices are high.
(4)Mohun K.
A big selection of food - pizza, sandwiches, cheesesteaks, etc. Had the Parma and Chicken cutlet for lunch on 3/20/13. Food is fresh and tasty! Would love to try the calzones.
(4)Kristy R.
Their cheesestake is HUGE! So good, so yummy, so messy...so big. You're guaranteed to bring the other half home unless you're a bottomless pit.
(4)Lisa G.
I just got into Philly and was dying for a "real" cheesesteak. I decided on the chicken/provolone. My first bite was delicious, but subsequent bites were just okay. I think I had my mouth worked up for more than it was. I do love the bustling atmosphere of Reading Terminal Market. You can expect the lines to be long, but the guys at the counter are nice and it's a fun place.
(3)Ryan D.
Came here for a cheesesteak with sharp provolone, peppers and onions. I'll say that it was pretty good, but not mind blowing. The meat was a little dry, and it wasn't quite as flavorful as other cheesesteaks I've had. But that's kind of splitting hairs: it was still pretty tasty, and maybe my expectations were just too high.
(3)Michelle Y.
I was starving so I got a chicken & broccoli stromboli for lunch - this sandwich was humongous plus it came with a tub of tomato dipping sauce. The crust is thinner than a calzone but this sandwich was stuffed with tons of chicken and pretty much a whole wheel of cheese. It was a very heavy, if delicious, meal. The Reading Terminal is madness at lunch but it's worth the line up for good food (the cheesesteak sandwichs are just as filling and tasty!).
(4)Keno C.
i don't care what anyone says, this spot has the best cheese steaks in philly! properly situated in the reading terminal market, where you will find pleasure in partaking in all of the joys of an eclectic farmers' market! thank me later...
(5)Alvis D.
IMO, the best pizza in the city. When I worked in Center City I went at least once a week for a slice or 2. All of their ingredients are fresh and the tomato sauce is delicious. Highly recommended.
(5)El S.
Went there again a few weeks back for lunch. Drove down from NYC and took my crew (Tony the D and two bland Irish guys) there. Had two tomato slices (one square, one regular) and broccoli rabe. Pay attention to that because that's how a man orders his lunch, jackass! The service was very solid, helpful and pleasant....that counts for a lot! I love this place...wish we had it in NY.
(5)Phillip L.
I was severely disappointed by this place after reading the reviews. I waited all day to try a cheesesteak and when I got there 1 hour before they closed, the male cashier rudely looked at me and said no more cheesesteaks for the day. I looked behind him and a cook was cooking a large fresh batch of meat for cheesesteaks??? Very odd. Ok, I'll try some of their pizza. I walked to the side and said excuse me to one of the girls working the area. Ok no answer, I'll try again, no answer again? Third time and still no answer? She just walked away like she didn't even see me. I should have went elsewhere at this point but I still wanted to try a slice of pizza because it's what they're known for and I'm from out of town. After finally getting another girl to assist me (even though her customer service skills could use a lot of work), I then ordered a chicken parmigiana hot sandwich and a slice of their pepperoni pizza. I was starving at this point and dug right in. The pizza tasted old and not fresh at all. The chicken parmigiana sandwich was even worse. Dry chicken that tasted a few days old. I couldn't even eat the dry bun it came in. Such a waste of money. Very rude staff and old food here. Do yourself a huge favor and go to the Dutch Eating Place at the other side of the Reading Terminal Market. MUCH better friendly service and FRESH food there.
(1)Joe B.
Went here because they had the shortest of all the places we tried. Boy am I glad we did!! Cheesesteaks were great! Moist big heroes with provolone cheese. Let me not forget that we added onions which really kicked it up a notch. I don't know about the tourist trap cheesesteak places here but I do know that these were damn good and I don't know how much better you can do!,
(4)Michelle P.
I love all things Italian - food, dessert, wine, men... oh wait... this is yelp... so yes... food... By George's has Italian food that tastes homemade! They have Stromboli ($6.25), pizza ($2.75 to $3.50 a slice), pannini's (7.99 each), sandwiches (7.50 each), salads (8.99 lb.), gnocchi, calzones ($6.25)eggplant Parmesan, chicken Florentine, stuffed peppers, eggplant Gorgonzola ravioli, manicotti, a variety of homemade sauces (marina w or w/o meat, sun-dried tomato basil pesto, roasted pepper pesto, Alfredo, white clam, vodka blush, fra diavolo)... the list goes on and on. A local Philadelphian directed me here, and my colleague who ate here loved every item. I had delicious chicken Parmesan with 2 meet balls. My mouth is watering as I write this review. I'm sitting in Houston catching up on my reviews and wishing I had longer to enjoy Philly!
(5)Karen F.
They catered an event for me with cold salads (mozzarella balls, pasta etc.) Very good food and decent prices. Will use again. I should clarify - they made the food - but I had to come pick it all up. Still - a great option.
(4)Jess K.
I settled on getting lunch at By George because everything else in Reading Terminal seemed less healthy. I ordered a piece of salmon and some spinach with sun-dried tomatoes and then made the mistake of also ordering some sort of broccoli rabe coated in garlic. It was terrible. The salmon and spinach were fine but nothing special. Those three things cost me $13 which seems pricey. Perhaps I should have ordered something greasier since this is a tourist trap and most tourists aren't watching their weight. Maybe I should have asked one of the Amish people serving food for a recommendation. Kidding. I was in Philly for work and I am glad I went to Reading Terminal to check it out but I wouldn't go back for lunch again.
(2)Laura D.
I went here for lunch yesterday and ate the "European" sandwich which consisted of roasted eggplant, asparagus, kale, fresh mozzarella, and seasonings on a crunchy multi-grain baguette. Pros: The fresh mozzarella was truly delicious and the bread was surprisingly flavorful (I think from toasted sesame seeds) Cons: This sandwich was incredibly difficult to eat. Like, astonishingly difficult. It was cumbersome, assembled strangely, and at times I felt like a dog with a chew toy when I was trying to bite through the bread. Overall, this sandwich was not worth the effort it took to eat.
(2)Jaclyn B.
Best slice of my life! Great service!
(5)Kaitlin L.
mmm. Fresh pasta. There are few things in life that are as enjoyable as fresh pasta. Add in that I don't have to make it myself AND it's fairly priced and I'm in love. For something like $4 a pound (or $5 for specialty pasta -- spinach, garlic, lemon herb, etc), By George offers delicious fresh pasta that you can cook at home. It can be cut as spaghetti, fettuccine, lasagna sheets, etc. The other products at this stand look fantastic, but I seriously can't get past the pasta. Why did it take me so long to know about this???
(4)lysa p.
Very good cheesesteak. Would actually go back here! HUGE cheesesteaks, served a wide variety of ways- you can't go wrong.
(4)Dwight M.
I love their tomato pie, haven't had it for a while but it sure is good
(4)Ryan W.
I got an $11 cheesteak here and, although it was huge, it was also bland bland bland. I even asked for the sharp provolone on it, and yet flavor was seriously lacking. I've made better Steak-um cheesesteaks at home myself.
(2)Nicolas B.
Was good but I already ate better pizza.
(3)DJ M.
by george, I think he's got it... even though few others do. by george does make homemade pastas, cut to order and homemade sauces, of which I did buy some to fill my pantry, along with fresh and aged cheeses, cut or grated to order. Pizzas can be made with whole wheat and the breads, rolls and sandwiches are fresh and very eye appealing, they also sell their freshly made pizza dough. They have your typical Italian market delights, like fresh mozzarella balls, roasted peppers and olives. Being in Philly they offer the cheesesteaks, as well as Italian sandwiches. They have frozen pastas, like ravioli to take home and fresh Stromboli and calzones, to eat there or take home and bake. They also do catering and can be reached via bygeorgecatering@comcast… Whatever, let's talk pizza! No matter where we have lived, it has taken forever to find a great pizza shop, that makes what we consider a great pizza. We like our crust thin and this is certainly rolled as thin as you can get it. I never thought I would say this, but it could have been a little bit thicker, so that I could pick it up and just bite, but I had to fold it NY style and slide it into my mouth bite by bite. Still, it was a great slice of pepperoni pizza. I love a great, non watery seasoned sauce and the sauce was a rich, homemade sauce, even though I would have preferred a few more herbs. The mozzarella was real and strung out with each bite. It was early, maybe a quarter til ten in the morning and I have been craving a slice of pepperoni pizza for quite some time. They knew I was coming, as they set that hot pizza, along with the others, on display on the glassed shelf. All kinds of great pastas and sauces to look at, many types of pizza on display before my eyes, but I was fixated on that greasy pepperoni pizza and I finally answered with, I'll have a slice of the pepperoni, please! A nice sized slice was paddled into their white brick oven and served to me piping hot, I mean mouth burning, five minutes of piping hot fresh pizza and I was so happy, which cost me three dollars and change. I was with five others, who thought it was too early for pizza, what do they know, but they walked backwards watching me walk, browse and enjoy my thin crusted, greasy pepperoni pizza. My daughter ended up going back for a chicken caesar on an Italian roll, with roasted peppers, caramelized onions and both spinach and romaine lettuce. Payback is a bitch, as I walked along side of my daughter and watched her devouring that sandwich.
(5)Don M.
I ordered a cheesesteak with cheese sauce and my wife ordered one with sharp provolone. I had never had a " Philly" cheesesteak, but am pretty sure a Steak-Um sandwich would be just as good. It was very bland and unfulfilling. The onion rings were good, crispy and greasy. The girl taking the orders seemed annoyed to be working there, but in her defense, she seemed to be carrying the load there.
(2)Barry L.
Cheese steak is great, they literally take a fresh meat, and start cooking it in front of you! Great place to try a steak if you're visiting reading terminal!
(4)Chrissy K.
I didn't realize Hershey's makes their pizza sauce!
(2)Sam A.
Pizza steak was the best! Way better than DiNic's and Jim's.
(5)Joey F.
One of my favorite pizza slices in Philly. I had the tomato pie because I wanted to taste the most basic pizza they had in order to experience the flavors best. Good decision. The sauce is amazing. I wish I could make sauce like this. It is rich, and full flavored. You can taste a touch of sweetness from slow simmered, caramelized tomato sugars. It was really very great. Crust was good. Thick, crispy and chewy. I haven't had any of their other foods because RTM has so many options. I need to go back.
(4)Mt C.
ordered a broccoli rabe chicken CHEESE steak for $9.25, then they charge you 75 cents for cheese...... just an ok steak.
(3)Michael T.
Great food and friendly staff, just as it should b. Cheers!
(5)Meg C.
My source for fresh pasta in Center City. Totally worth the premium price. You get to choose what kind of pasta (egg, whole wheat, spinach, ect.) and the cut of noodle you would like. They also have a wide variety of sauces in case you are too lazy to make your own. The prepared foods are top-quality as well.
(4)D. B.
I had lunch at By George yesterday, and the food was DISGUSTING. How this place ever got any good reviews is beyond me. I had the chicken parm sandwich. It had an enormous hunk of chicken, must have been at least an inch and a half think, not a cutlet, and it was tough and chewy. Breading on the chicken parm was soggy and mushy, as was the roll. My companion had a chicken cheese steak that he said was mediocre at best. Avoid this place.
(1)RICK L.
Philly comfort food heaven! By George is a bedrock of the RTM. We had: a classic cheesesteak "with"; a cheesesteak without the bread (one of us is gluten-intolerant); a veggie sandwich i.e. roasted peppers, provolone, broccoli rabe, fried onions -- gooey heaven although I think I'd skip the onions next time, just makes it too messy -- and a slice of plain pizza. It was our best eating in a week-long vacation in Philly and the Jersey Shore.
(4)Mary Jo S.
If your hotel room has a small kitchenette or if you are on your way home, Pasta by George offers wonderful homemade pasta and sauces. (They also offer cooked Italian meals). We picked up a marinara sauce with sun dried tomato basil pesto and ricotta cavatelli which was the least exotic of their offerings but one of our favorites. We also bought a nice Parmesan and were on our way to the MIL for dinner after the conference.
(4)Geoff D.
We were in town for the Lightfair International trade show and the Reading market was packed with people. We almost gave up on the long lines and the overwhelming choices when I spotted this display of sandwiches/hoagies/subs/footlongs/whatever you want to call them. (see picture 11). We had three different sandwiches and all three were just delicious! Excellent meats, flavorful fresh mozzarella, and veggies from the farmers market all inside a variety of thick, crusty breads. Perfect.
(4)Justin C.
I ate for the second time here today. It was a much different experience. I had the same thing I had last time, a pepperoni calzone and a caesar salad. The calzone was better than before, with ricotta cheese stuffed inside. It was phenomenal. The caesar salad was horrible however. The dressing tasted like water. Weird because the last time it was amazing. Service was still great, Caesar salad was not. Still I would try the Caesar anyways. It might be good the time you drop by.
(4)Steve A.
I've gone to bygeorge twice now, and been extremely happy on both occasions. Their cheesesteaks are massive and better than some of the more famous places farther south in the city. Their pizza is also delicious. I've tried just a single piece of thin crust which was fantastic. Great buttery taste. Stromboli is also highly recommended. Lots of pepperoni packed in there. Lots of places to eat in reading terminal, but this is one of the best I've found.
(4)m M.
I had a slice of plain pizza and By George today @ the Reading Terminal market and its probably the best I've had next to Lorenzo & Son Pizza on South St. The pizza was good and the service was fast and friendly even though we had a 5 minute wait time because of how busy Reading Terminal Market is. Overall I would recommend it for a quick and cheap bite for lunch.
(4)Angela W.
Fresh pestos. Fresh pasta. Nice people and all found in the famous Reading Terminal Market. I get a Roasted Red Pepper pesto from By George that I just can't get enough of. By George is also where I first ever saw a nut pesto which encouraged me to make almond pesto a year ago. Greaaaaat old world flavor you'll enjoy...Thanks George!
(5)Betty J.
Love this place! Last time I had the cheese steak with spinach & garlic it was delish! Today I bought some frozen ravioli to take home. Can't wait to try it! YUM! Go hungry....or get something to go!
(5)Frank C.
I saw one review that said the cheese-steak was "HUGE". I would call it normal, but their sodas could be bigger. The sandwich and soda was exactly $10. As with any food in the Reading Terminal, get it "to go" and find a seat.
(4)Warren A.
I had a slice here today. O.M.God it was good. Not Philly-good, mind you. Actual-good. The sauce had a bit of kick, and the vegetables were added perfectly: a few nice big pieces - not a bunch of little scraps so it's falling out all over the place. It could have done with another minute in the brick oven, but I'm looking forward to return to sample the many other slice options.
(4)Undercova A.
Someone I love brought me a cheesesteak. All the way from Philly. On a bus, no less. And then I refrigerated it. And then I heated it up. Yet, this was a masterpiece cheesesteak! Wonderfully juicy, replete with pungent onions and rich provolone cheese. Can you imagine how good this would have been right off the griddle? Only $8.00!
(4)Jonathan C.
I love Philadelphia! one of the three best American cities! However, it is time to disassociate this great urban center with such a terrible food...the Philly cheesesteak sandwich! no matter where you order it, you get nothing more than slices of the worst beef cuts, fried in cheap grease on a flat grill, thrown into various types of roll, and dressed with cheese. By George is on par with it's better known competition south of city center, but NONE of them can make anything that comes close to making this awesome city proud. To include the word, "steak," is just wrong! hoagies are more varied and of better taste, quality, and a better bargain.
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